The Senate has declared its unwavering support for the Supreme Court’s ruling granting financial autonomy to the 774 Local Governments across Nigeria.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, made this statement following a closed-door session on a motion presented by Sen. Tony Nwoye (LP-Anambra).
The motion addressed attempts by some state governments, through their respective Houses of Assembly, to enact laws circumventing the Supreme Court’s judgement on local government autonomy.
“We stand solidly behind the Supreme Court judgement and pronouncement on the local government autonomy,” Akpabio emphasized.
The Senate, after a detailed review of Nwoye’s motion, approved two out of the six prayers presented, having identified potential conflicts with existing constitutional provisions.
Akpabio highlighted the Senate’s commitment to ensuring that local government funds are properly utilized for the benefit of rural communities, stating, “We believe strongly that if there is any legacy that this administration, and indeed the 10th Senate and National Assembly, will leave behind, it is the legacy of sanitising the local government.”
He further affirmed that the Senate’s focus is on ensuring that the funds allocated to local governments are effectively managed to uplift rural areas. “By ensuring that the local government funds are fully utilised for the benefits of rural people,” Akpabio added.
The Senate passed a resolution urging all state and local governments to comply fully with the Supreme Court’s ruling on the disbursement and use of funds allocated to local governments.
Additionally, the Senate pledged to amend the constitution to enshrine full financial autonomy for local governments across the country.
Akpabio also expressed his gratitude to the lawmakers for their input, particularly praising Sen. Tony Nwoye for bringing the motion forward.
“I want to assure you that the National Assembly will alter any aspect of our constitution and amend any section of our law to ensure full autonomy for local government administration in Nigeria,” Akpabio concluded.
