LG financial autonomy: Saboteurs in Tinubu’s govt behind delayed implementation — NULGE

The National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has accused saboteurs in President Tinubu’s government of using delay tactics to frustrate the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment that directed Local Governments (LGs) to open accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to receive their allocations directly.

On July 11, 2024, in a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court affirmed the financial autonomy of the country’s 774 local government areas. The apex court declared the practice of state governors controlling local government funds unconstitutional and directed that allocations be paid directly into LG accounts.

Despite the judgment, there are indications that governors have continued to manage LGAs’ finances, six months after the verdict.

However, the National Publicity Secretary of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hamisu Anani, confirmed in news reports that LGAs would open accounts with the CBN as part of the preparatory process. He mentioned that while progress was being made, certain challenges remained, particularly for states where the CBN does not have a physical presence.

Speaking to the Nigerian Tribune on Saturday, the National President of NULGE, Comrade Hakeem Olatunji Ambali, stated, “The Supreme Court judgment stated that all local governments must open accounts with the CBN to receive their allocations directly. But months have passed since that pronouncement, and nothing has happened. This shows that the Federal Government has not fulfilled its responsibility in ensuring adherence to this ruling.

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“We in NULGE consider this a delaying tactic to continue disobeying the Supreme Court judgment. We know that some saboteurs under Mr. President’s government are behind it.

“So, we call on President Bola Tinubu to act promptly so that these saboteurs do not cause problems for his government.”

He further stated, “This decision to fund local governments directly is one of the most popular measures taken by this government. This was affirmed by the wild jubilation across the country when the Supreme Court issued its judgment. So, one wonders why the implementation of this judgment is being delayed. The sooner the judgment is implemented, the better for us.

“Mr. President must take direct action and remove the stumbling blocks some people are placing in the way to frustrate the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment.”

When asked who NULGE blames for the delay in the account-opening process, Comrade Ambali said, “We place the blame solely on the Federal Government, not the Governors Forum. If the Federal Government were serious about implementing this Court judgment, especially the critical aspect of local governments opening accounts with the CBN, that process would have been completed long ago.

“If the implementation of a Supreme Court judgment is being treated in this manner, it shows how the rule of law is being observed in Nigeria. This is the time for the Federal Government to correct this anomaly.”

Regarding the role of ALGON in the issue, he said, “ALGON is actually doing its best to fast-track the process. The Federal Government, however, is where we have an issue in the whole implementation of this judgment. Instead of making public statements about local governments not opening accounts, Federal Government officials could have issued a circular to all 774 local governments, urging them to open the accounts as a matter of urgency. Instead, they prefer to make public statements. This delay tactic is unnecessary and uncalled for.

“Therefore, our call is for the Federal Government to obey the judgment of its own Supreme Court by fast-tracking the implementation, especially by ensuring that the account-opening processes are completed without further delay. President Tinubu should send a directive immediately that the rule of law in this country must be upheld and obeyed.?”