The Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments in Nigeria has been rejected by some former governors, including Fayose and Ibori.
The Supreme Court has ruled that local government councils in Nigeria should be democratically elected, rather than controlled by state governors through caretaker committees. This decision is seen as a significant victory for local government autonomy and a blow to state governments’ control over LGAs. The court also ordered the federal government to withhold allocations to LGAs governed by unelected officials appointed by governors.
However, some former governors have expressed opposition to the Supreme Court’s decision. James Ibori, former governor of Delta state, argued that the ruling is against the 1999 constitution and undermines true federalism. He claimed that the federal government’s interference with local governments violates the constitution. Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti state, also expressed concerns, stating that state Houses of Assembly and governors will continue to hinder local government autonomy.
Fayose argued that grassroots candidates cannot become local government chairmen without a governor’s support, and that the court and federal government cannot separate the “baby from the mother.” This suggests that governors still hold significant influence over local government affairs despite the Supreme Court’s ruling. The former governor’s stance highlights the ongoing debate over local government autonomy in Nigeria.
Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna state, also made a cryptic comment on the Supreme Court judgment, quoting a tweet from the presidency and saying “it is God who gives and takes.” This comes amid his ongoing political battle with Uba Sani, his successor in Kaduna state. The Supreme Court’s judgment is expected to have far-reaching implications for grassroots governance and democracy in Nigeria.
