By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The Supreme Court judgement on Thursday which finally gave financial autonomy to the 774 local government areas of the federation has been applauded by the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP).
Today, the federal government secured a judgement against the 36 state governments for the direct transfer of allocations to the coffers of the local councils from the federation accounts.
The landmark judgment delivered by the apex court prohibited state governors from withholding funds meant for local government administrations, a decision CNPP has described as “a resounding victory for democracy, national development, and the long-suffering people of Nigeria.”
In a statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr James Ezema, the organisation noted that for far too long, governors have usurped the powers and resources of local governments, stifling grassroots development and perpetuating poverty.
It stressed that this judgment marks a new dawn for local government autonomy and a significant blow to the impunity and recklessness of state governors in the last two decades.
“The CNPP sees this ruling as a significant step towards decentralizing power, promoting grassroots development, and enhancing the overall quality of life for Nigerians.
“We believe that this judgment will go a long way in addressing the issues of poverty, inequality, and social injustice that have plagued our nation for decades,” a part of the statement read.
CNPP urged “all stakeholders to respect and implement this judgment, and we demand that governors who violate this ruling be prosecuted after leaving office. It is time to hold our leaders accountable for their actions and ensure that the rule of law is upheld.”
It also called on the federal government to ensure the immediate release of funds due to local governments directly to their respective accounts and to monitor their utilization to prevent further abuse.
“We also urge civil society organizations and the media to join us in holding governors accountable for their actions.
“This judgment is a testament to the power of the judiciary in upholding the constitution and protecting the rights of the people. We commend the Supreme Court for its courage and commitment to justice,” it further stated.
The group called on governors who are yet to conduct local government elections to end the unconstitutional practice of appointing caretaker committees and immediately allow for the conduct of free, fair, and credible local government polls in their states or forfeit the local government allocations until a democratically elected local government system is in place.
