BREAKING: Tinubu Govt Makes U-turn Over LG Autonomy
The President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government has agreed with the 36 state governors in the country to shift the implementation of financial autonomy granted to 774 local government councils till October 2024.
It was learnt that the resolution came up on Monday after the federal government and state governors agreed to a three-month moratorium on Local Government autonomy, over concerns arising from its impact on salary payments and operational viability.
According to reports, a three-month moratorium has been agreed upon to address concerns regarding the potential impact of financial autonomy on salary payments and operational sustainability at the local government level.
This decision aims to mitigate potential disruptions and ensure a smoother transition to financial autonomy for local governments.
The government promised that the postponement will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to address these concerns and develop strategies to minimise potential negative consequences.
This agreement is coming barely one month after The Supreme Court ruled that the Nigerian Government must pay funds allocated to Local Governments directly to the respective Local Government Areas, which are managed by democratically elected officials.
In a landmark judgement delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim on 11th of July 2024, the court declared that it is unconstitutional for State Governments to withhold and utilise allocations meant for Local Government Areas without transferring the funds to them, as mandated by Section 162(3) of the Constitution.
The ruling aims to ensure that Local Governments receive their rightful allocations, promoting decentralisation and grassroots development.
