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LG Autonomy: Atiku React to Supreme Court’s Verdict
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has hailed the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling granting fiscal autonomy to local government councils across Nigeria.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Atiku, through a statement described the judgment as “a win for the people of Nigeria” and a significant step forward.
The Supreme Court’s decision overturns the previous practice of consolidating local council revenues into state government accounts, which Atiku criticized as “politics of hasty compromise.”
He expressed his support for the ruling, stating, “I align with the decision of the Supreme Court that the structure of the Nigerian government is portioned in three layers, and of these, the local governments should be centers of development.”
Atiku also advocated for expanded fiscal autonomy, saying, “Fiscal autonomy to local governments should not be limited to revenues from the Federation Accounts but should apply to Internally Generated Revenue from the respective local government authorities.”
He expressed concerns about state governments interfering with local councils’ revenue generation, particularly in urban areas.
“Many of our states, especially those in ultra-urban areas with high-density economic activities, have become notorious in muscling local councils from generating revenue on items that border on motor parks, outdoor advertising, rents, and many more,” he said.
Atiku praised the Supreme Court’s role, saying, “The verdict of the court is in tandem with the core functions of the Supreme Court as an arbitration court between and among governments.”
The Supreme Court declared that it is unconstitutional for state governors to hold funds allocated for local government administrations.
The 774 local government councils should manage their funds themselves, according to the seven-man panel led by Justice Emmanuel Agim.
The court emphasized that the power of government is divided among the federal, state, and local government arms, and a state government cannot appoint a caretaker committee or interfere with a democratically elected local government council.
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