LG autonomy: Former Abia ALGON chairmen laud Appeal Court judgement

The forum of former Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, chairmen has commended the appeal court judgement for upholding the autonomy of local governments in Nigeria and monitoring the management of local government funds by state governments.

This commendation came yesterday from the former Abia State ALGON Chairman, Hon. Ibe Michael Nwoke, describing the ruling as a “ray of hope” “for local government administration in the country and grassroots development without undue interference by state governors.”.

Hon. Nwoke, who spoke on behalf of the chairmen shortly after the ruling by the appeals court, noted that the forum members, who remain stakeholders in the affairs of local government operations across Nigeria, are elated that democracy and its dividends will be felt at the grassroots level.

According to him, “The judgement today raises hope for local government administration in Nigeria and ensures that funds for local governments will not be tampered with.

“We are really excited about the appeals court judgement, and we hope that state governors will do the needful by obeying the courts and also conducting local government elections in their various states.

Hon. Nwoke (Abu Dhabi), who was a former Executive Chairman of Obingwa LGA, used the occasion to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ensuring that the right thing is done and expressed his belief that with him at the helm of affairs in Nigeria, local government administration in Nigeria would experience a serious boost.

The 36 states and the Nigeria Governors Forum had challenged the legality of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) guidelines, which came into effect on June 1, 2019, that require state governments to use specific accounts for receiving and transferring funds to local governments.

The guidelines were aimed at reducing vulnerabilities created by cash withdrawals from local government funds by governors, but the governors had approached the court, describing the guidelines as unlawful and unconstitutional.

The court’s decision, which is final, is expected to be binding and to be complied with by state governors.

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