LG autonomy: Respect Supreme Court verdict, Benue PDP tells Gov Alia

Gov Hyacinth Alia

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has called on the state governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, to dissolve the caretaker committee at the local government areas in the state.

The call is coming on the heels of the judgement of the Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered on Thursday which granted full financial autonomy to the 774 local government councils in the country,

The judgment also outlawed the arbitrary dissolution of elected councils and the appointment of caretaker ones in their place by state governors.

In a statement issued by the publicity secretary of the party in the state, Bemgba Iortyom, the party which hailed the judgment also asked the governor to comply with the judgement of the apex court.

The statement read in parts, “PDP in Benue aligns with millions of Nigerians who have since been celebrating the judgement across the country as a victory for democracy, as it is apparent that anyone who is against it is directly against democracy in Nigeria and an enemy of ordinary Nigerians.

“The party affirms its confidence in the judiciary as the last resort for the common man in the country and hails the local government autonomy judgement as solidifying that role of the judiciary.

“It also calls on the National Assembly to expedite action on the amendments to the Constitution of the country which are before its chambers to grant full administrative autonomy to the local government tier to make it a full federating unit independent of the domineering powers wielded over it by state governments which is inhibitive rather than promotive of development at the grassroots.”

The party reminded the governor of his promise during the campaigns to grant autonomy to local governments in Benue State and advised him to see the judgement of the apex court as a window to make good on his promise.

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