Senator Karimi React As Governors Mount Defense Against LG-Autonomy Implementation

Senator representing Kogi West, Sunday Karimi, has opined that the battle for local government autonomy is not over.

Ireporteronline recalls that the Supreme Court had ruled on Thursday that it was unconstitutional for state governors to hold funds allocated for local government administrations.

The court also granted autonomy to the local councils, following a suit filed by the federal government on the matter.

Reacting to the judgement, Karimi while speaking with journalists on Sunday in Abuja, said the National Assembly will amend the constitution to address contentious issues including the conduct of local government elections.

He said the National Assembly would do so to ensure that state governments strictly adhere to the judgement.

Commending President Bola Tinubu for mustering the courage to do the right thing, the Senator added that some Governors will fight back.

He said, “These include grey areas like the transfer of the responsibility of the conduct of elections to the local councils from the various state electoral bodies to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Some state governors will fight back. President Tinubu allowed the judiciary a free hand to operate in this particular instance, irrespective of the fact that he is but a first term President who may desire a comeback in 2027.

“I thank Mr President for mustering the courage to do the right thing. Since 1999, the third tier of government literally speaking, has been nonexistent. State governments treated them as appendages of the state governments. No President, has been able to change that.”