National Assembly Endorses Tinubu’s Push For Local Government Financial Autonomy — Karimi

According to Ireporter Online, the National Assembly has reaffirmed its full support for President Bola Tinubu’s stance on the full implementation of financial autonomy for local governments across the country. This assurance was given by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Services and Senator representing Kogi West, Sunday Steve Karimi, who said the legislature is prepared to enact all necessary laws to ensure compliance with the Supreme Court judgment on the matter.

Speaking while receiving his constituents during New Year celebrations, Senator Karimi recalled the landmark ruling of the Supreme Court delivered on July 25, 2024, which directed that federal allocations be paid directly to Nigeria’s 774 local government councils. He noted that the apex court declared the control of local government funds by state governors unconstitutional and also outlawed the use of caretaker committees, describing such arrangements as illegal.

Karimi explained that the judgment was aimed at strengthening grassroots democracy by ensuring that statutory allocations reach democratically elected local government officials without interference from state governments. He added that the ruling was also designed to enhance service delivery at the grassroots, which he described as the foundation of Nigeria’s governance structure.

Despite what he described as the clarity and finality of the Supreme Court’s pronouncement, the senator expressed concern that some states have continued to undermine and disregard the ruling. He noted that, in response to this defiance, President Tinubu had recently warned during a National Executive Committee meeting of the All Progressives Congress that he might be forced to issue an Executive Order to compel defaulting governors to comply.

According to Karimi, the President had shown considerable restraint despite having the constitutional powers to enforce compliance. He stressed that the National Assembly would now prioritise addressing non-adherence to the judgment by some governors, pledging that lawmakers would support the President with robust legislation, including laws with retroactive effect where necessary.

The senator further alleged that such laws would be used to trace and address what he described as the large-scale looting of public funds by some state governors. He claimed that those found culpable would be investigated, compelled to make refunds, and punished for undermining the welfare of Nigerians by diverting resources meant for grassroots development.

Karimi also alleged that trillions of naira meant for local governments had been misappropriated over the years, despite the fact that the current administration has made unprecedented financial resources available to states and local government councils. He lamented that the impact of these funds is barely felt by citizens in many areas, a situation he said has contributed to insecurity and the rise of ungoverned spaces across the country.

He cited recent remarks by the Chief of Defence Staff, who reportedly linked insecurity to the inability of local governments to function effectively. According to Karimi, some governors, their political allies and associates routinely divert local government funds through illegal deductions and fraudulent schemes.

The senator described the local government system as largely dysfunctional, arguing that the denial of funds has left councils unable to provide even basic services. He warned that governors and their collaborators who continue to frustrate grassroots development would face consequences once the National Assembly puts the necessary laws in place.

Karimi further alleged that in some states, local government allocations are transferred to council accounts only to be siphoned through fraudulent voucher schemes for fictitious projects. He claimed that council chairmen and officials are often forced to approve such documents under duress, while no actual projects are executed. He described the practice as unacceptable and warned that such acts of corruption have no place in a modern democratic society.