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Atiku says delay in enforcing LG financial autonomy violates the Constitution
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Former VP warns grassroots development is suffering nationwide
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Tinubu hints at possible Executive Order over states’ non-compliance
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately enforce the Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments, warning that continued delay is harming grassroots development.
Atiku made the appeal in a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, noting that nearly two years have passed since the apex court issued the directive without full implementation.
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According to him, failure to enforce the judgment amounts to a breach of the Constitution and undermines democratic governance.
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“Supreme Court judgments are final, not optional. Persistently refusing to enforce one is a direct violation of the Constitution and the oath of office sworn to Nigerians,” Atiku stated.
He argued that withholding financial autonomy from local councils weakens governance at the grassroots and deepens poverty in communities across the country.
“Local governments are the closest tier of government to the people. By denying them financial independence, you are crippling communities, stalling development and worsening poverty,” he added.
The former vice president urged President Tinubu to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to immediately enforce the judgment, stressing that anything short of this would amount to a failure of leadership.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu had earlier addressed the issue during the 15th National Executive Committee meeting of the All Progressives Congress, where he urged state governors to comply with the Supreme Court ruling.
The President warned that persistent non-compliance by states could force the Federal Government to issue an Executive Order to ensure that local governments receive their allocations directly from the Federation Account.
“The Supreme Court has said clearly that local governments should receive their funds directly. If they continue to delay, an Executive Order may become inevitable,” Tinubu said.
The Supreme Court judgment, delivered on July 11, 2024, upheld the Federal Government’s suit seeking to enforce financial autonomy for local governments, affirming their right to direct allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee.
