Senior Advocate of Nigeria and human rights activist, Femi Falana, has endorsed the Supreme Court’s decision directing state governments to stop controlling the federal allocations meant for local governments.
Falana, speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s flagship program, Sunrise Daily, on Friday, argued that the judgment is not intended to diminish state governments’ influence over LGAs but to enhance accountability at the grassroots level.
He said, “A lot depends on the Nigerian people because right now, it is difficult to talk about the autonomy of the local government. The state’s electoral commissions are manned by appointees of the state governors.
“And what they have done over the years is to manipulate the local government elections in a way, that only the candidates of the ruling parties would be declared the winners.
“Now, local governments would be expected to fix some schools, tar some roads, and even pay some workers. So, it is not that state governments will no longer participate in the affairs of the local governments…the state governments should create state economic councils and allow the local government to participate in them, just like they are part of the federal economic council.
“The judgment has to be studied by the governors so that everybody will appreciate that what the Supreme Court has done is to promote public accountability at the grassroots levels.”
In its lead judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the Supreme Court on Thursday mandated the Federal Government to start immediate and direct payment of funds to the exclusive accounts of local governments.
The apex court criticized the state governments for their decades-long refusal to grant financial autonomy to local governments.
President Bola Tinubu, in response to the verdict, stated that it would pave the way for greater accountability.
He said, “By virtue of this judgement, our people – especially the poor – will be able to hold their local leaders to account for their actions and inactions,” presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, quoted Tinubu as saying in a statement.
“What is sent to local government accounts will be known, and services must now be provided without excuses.
“My administration instituted this suit because of our unwavering belief that our people must have relief and today’s judgement will ensure that it will be only those local officials elected by the people that will control the resources of the people.“This judgement stands as a resounding affirmation that we can use legitimate means of redress to restructure our country and restructure our economy to make Nigeria a better place to live in and a fairer society for all of our people.”
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