Local Government Autonomy: IPAC Says LG Chairmen Have No Excuse For Non-Performance

The State IPAC Chairperson, Mrs Temilola Akinade, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.

Recall that the Apex Court on Thursday ruled in favour of full financial autonomy for the 774 local government councils in the country.

In the landmark judgment, the Supreme Court ordered the Federal Government to immediately start direct payment of local governments’ funds to the councils’ exclusive accounts.

Reacting, Akinade, who noted that President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to LG autonomy was commendable, said the verdict would ensure the delivery of more dividends of democracy to people at the grassroots.

Akinade said: “That is the best way to go. Our expectation now is that LGs having full autonomy will help the council chairmen to do more in the various local government areas.

“If they do not see this autonomy as a way of enriching themselves more, it is expected they will do more to impact the people.

“It is high time the citizens questioned their council leadership on how they spend resources meant for them.

“With this, I don’t think there should be more stories by local government chairmen. They need to do more for the people.”