…. FG Promoting Unitary System In Some Policies, Says Afenifere
…. The Problem Is that We Are Not Productive- Makinde Speaks
…. It Will Boost Independence, Direct Accountability To Electorates- Metawalle
On Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled that state governors’ possession of money intended for local government administrations is illegal.
In the ruling written by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the panel of seven members decided that the nation’s 774 local government councils ought to handle their own financial management.
The federal, state, and municipal governments comprise the three branches of government, according to the ruling of the supreme court.
This rulling has raised dust. The victors and vanquished have spoken their minds. Shockingly the policy does not go down well with a pan-Yoruba socio-political association, Afenifere, who has strongly criticized the Supreme Court’s decision to grant full financial autonomy to local governments in Nigeria.
In a statement signed by the group’s leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, and its National Publicity Secretary, Prince Justice Faloye, they expressed their strong opposition to the ruling, stating that it has caused immeasurable harm to the Nigerian state.
The statement, titled “Tinubu and the Grand Conspiracy Against Democracy and True Federalism in Nigeria,” denounced the Supreme Court’s judgment as a deliberate collaboration with the Tinubu administration to undermine the foundational principles of federalism in Nigeria.
Afenifere emphasized that Nigeria is a federation consisting of states and a Federal Capital Territory, as affirmed by Section 2(2) of the 1999 constitution. The group condemned the subjugation of states and their constitutional roles, including the local government system, to the control of the federal government.
Additionally, the group accused the current administration of promoting a unitary system in some of its policies, asserting that the true way forward for the country is to embrace genuine federalism. They emphasized that the government should not undermine the autonomy of states and local governments.
The statement read, “Afenifere views the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case filed by the Federal Government on the so-called local government autonomy as a sheer judicial conspiracy in cahoots with the Tinubu administration against the Nigerian state and its foundational principles of federalism.
“Rather than interpret the constitution to uphold its elementary but overriding federal principle which recognises only a two-tier federal structure of the central government and federating states, the Supreme Court played to the gallery and wittingly allowed itself a most retrogressive declaration that the power of the government is portioned into three arms of government, the federal, the state and the local government.
“For the avoidance of any doubt, Afenifere makes bold to say that in line with its negotiated basis of existence, Nigeria is a ‘Federation consisting of States and a Federal Capital Territory’. as affirmed by Section 2 (2) of the 1999 constitution. While Afenifere frowns at corruption and misuse of public funds at levels of government, it condemns in most unmistaken terms the subjugation of the states and their constitutional roles including the local government system to the whims and caprices of the federal government by any means including obvious manipulation of the federation account as in the present case.”
“It is becoming stridently eloquent that with just over a year of its inauguration, the Tinubu government, more than even the military administrations, is uncannily determined to unitarise the Nigerian Federation.
Same way, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who is naturally part of the above group has spoken his mind.
The governor made his intention known while hosting the executives of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), who were headed by Chief Chris Isiguzo, the national president, at the secretariat in Ibadan.
He urged his colleagues to put more effort into their work and not let the Supreme Court ruling divert them.
He said: “There was a judgement at the Supreme Court, local government automony, financial autonomy and i will still say it I think its just a distraction.
“We must face the real issues that we have, and the issue that we have is that we are not producing enough, we are not productive.
“Whatever it is we are sharing in Abuja, which is what this FAAC is all about or whatever is in Abuja share it with the local governments, is that our problem?
“Maybe it is a part of the problem but yes you what to have value for what you want to share, but our rela problem is productivity.
“But now this is going to be the discussion for the next one month when issue of hunger and anger in the land will still be under the table, it’s a big issue.
“The federal government is saying we have to import food, it’s a big shame, it’s a big shame on this country that we cannot feed ourselves.
“And then we are saying we should go back to those things that will allow us to bring confidence back to our people, and to ensure that this country is back on the path of growth and progress.”
Meanwhile, there are other governors aside Makinde that praised the policy. The Delta State Governor, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori is one of themand he has boasted of an intact N14 billion readily available for the Chairmen to take over.
The Governor stated this shortly after voting at the Osubi Community of Okpe Local Government Area.
While responding to the on-going Delta State Local Government Elections, He declared the election as free and fair, commending the peaceful manner and assured of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, victory
According to him: “When we did our grand finale, I promised Deltans that we want free and fair election, that is what we are doing now. Right from time my local government has been free and fair and that is what we are replicating here.
“I came through that same process of free and fair election and with all the opposition I won with very high margin, so I am assuring Deltans that this election is free and fair. I have been up since monitoring the process and now l am here to cast my vote. I have casted my vote and we are sure that there will be victory of PDP by the grace of God.
“Then on the issue of the same court judgment. Supreme Court has given judgment but you can see that we believe in that same process. That is why when I came in I did not Constitute a transition Committee, I am not in sthe the support of transition Committee and they are the one handling the place and they were given three months to enable us to do the election today by the grace of God we are doing our election today.
By early next week those who won will be sworn in by the grace of God. So on the issue of the Supreme Court judgment, it does not affect Delta State because in Delta State we don’t temper with Local Government money, as we speak the money for the past three months is still there, almost N14 billion is still there waiting for the Chairmen to take over.
“So we don’t touch government money, we augment. So whether the Supreme Court said they should have autonomy, I believe in financial autonomy. As a former Speaker, we were in the fore front of the issue financial autonomy for the legislature and for the judiciary. The judgment does not affect Delta State, so we still believe in it.” He added.
As expected, Minister of State for Defense Bello Matawalle, also praised the policy saying that it will contribute in resolving the nation’s security issues.
Local government chairmen would have the freedom to decide how to deal with insecurity inside their organizations, according to Bello Matawalle.
This was said by the former governor of Zamfara State in a statement that was signed by Henshaw Ogubike, his director of information and public relations.
He claimed that the decision will allow local governments to operate independently of the state in terms of revenue collection, financial management, and resource allocation for inhabitants’ developmental needs.
The Minister of State for Defence said, “The verdict will enable local governments to make decisions and take actions without needing approval from state governments adding that local governments can now manage their finances, collect revenues, and allocate resources without state government interference.
“This will boost their independence and direct accountability to the electorates. They can now focus on delivering services and development projects that will lead to better governance and accountability.
“Equally, the local government should be able to solve some security challenges in their locality.”
Matawalle also identified reduced political interference from state governors as an advantage of the Supreme Court ruling.
He said there would be improved service delivery in healthcare, education, sanitation and infrastructure to the local residents.
“It will also reduce political interference and urbanization, state governments can no longer influence local government decisions and this will promote local autonomy.
“This will also Improve service delivery. The local governments can now focus on delivering essential services like healthcare, education, Sanitation and infrastructural development to the people without interference from State Government,” Matawalle added.
