JUST IN: Govs set to deliberate on LG autonomy

The 36 State Governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) are presently converging in Abuja to deliberate on key national issues including Local Government autonomy.

The meeting is to be chaired by the NGF Chairman, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State.

The Supreme Court had on Thursday, 11th July, 2024 declared that it is unconstitutional for state governors to hold onto funds meant for local government administrations.

The Supreme Court also barred the state governors from dissolving democratically elected Local Government Councils across the country.

The apex court, in a landmark judgement averred that doing so would amount to a breach of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

In the lead judgement delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the Supreme Court observed that the State Governments’ refusal of financial autonomy for Local Governments has gone on for over two decades.

Justice Agim maintained Local Governments have since stopped receiving the money meant for them from the State Governors who act in their stead.

While noting that the 774 Local Government Councils should manage their funds themselves, Justice Agim ruled that only democratically elected Local Government administrations are entitled to these funds and not caretaker committees.

Other issues to be deliberated on include: update on the United Nations General Assembly as well as State Contribution and Shareholder Rights in Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

Also invited to make presentations are: Minister of Health and Social Welfare; World Bank Country Office.

Some of the Governors who have arrived at the venue of the meeting as at the time of filing this report include: Governor Alex Otti of Abia State; Governor, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State; Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.

Others are: Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State; Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State; Governor Sheriff Oborevwori; Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State; Governor Diri Douye of Bayelsa State; Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State; Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State; Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa of Ondo State; Governor Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State: Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State; Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, among others.

Details later…

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