Ndume: LG Autonomy Marks Tinubu’s Most Significant Success

Ndume: LG Autonomy Marks Tinubu’s Most Significant Success

Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, has commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for securing financial autonomy for Local Governments, marking it as the president’s most significant achievement since his inauguration in May 2023.

The affirmation came in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling, initiated by Tinubu’s administration, which mandated the direct payment of Local Government allocations, thereby stripping state governors of their long-held control over these funds.

In a statement released to the press on Friday, Ndume praised the Supreme Court’s decision as a pivotal moment for grassroots governance in Nigeria.

“This judgment is not just a win for the administration but for the entirety of the grassroots level of governance across our nation,” Ndume stated.

For years, the autonomy of Local Governments had been undermined by state governors who managed their allocations, a practice Ndume criticized for stalling development at the local level.

He urged President Tinubu to ensure the immediate implementation of this landmark ruling to catalyze development and enhance governance at the local level.

Ndume said, “This court action instituted at the behest of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the biggest of his achievements. I’m very happy about the development, and I’m hoping that this will be the beginning of the liberation of local governments in Nigeria.

“I urge the President to immediately commence the implementation of the Court judgment. Local Government Councils need to start getting their monthly allocations immediately without any further delays. The people at the grassroots levels will begin to feel the impacts of good governance now.

“The National Assembly made several attempts to amend the 1999 Constitution and address this grey area. But governors didn’t allow the State Assemblies to give the constitutional concurrence. That was how the attempts failed.

“President Muhammadu Buhari also tried to intervene. Governors didn’t allow him. With this Supreme Court judgment, the issue has finally been resolved. No more unnecessary deductions from funds earmarked for local governments.

“The people can now hold the Council chairmen accountable for how they spend their monthly allocations. They’ll begin to demand true accountability and judicious use of the funds they’ll be getting. I salute the courage of President Tinubu.”