LG autonomy: 50% of Nigeria’s problems solved – NULGE calls for celebration

Mr Ambali Olatunji, National President, the National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, has said over 50 per cent of Nigeria’s problems will be addressed following the Local Government autonomy ruling by the Supreme Court.

Olatunji, who made this known in an interview with NAN on Thursday in Lagos, was reacting to the ruling by the Supreme Court, granting LGAs financial autonomy.

Recall that the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi had filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Nigerian Government, seeking to grant full financial autonomy to all 774 local government areas in the country.

Ruling on the suit on Thursday, the Supreme Court declared that it is unconstitutional for state governors to hold onto funds meant for local government administrations.

Reacting, Olatunji, who expressed joy at the ruling, described the feat as freedom and a new dawn for the country.

“We believe that with the local government autonomy judgment, over 50 per cent of Nigerian problems have been fixed.

“Also, we hope there will be financial integrity at the local government levels and all financial transactions will be tracked.

“We will be working with anti-corruption agencies to ensure growth and development.

“So, we are happy and it is a fulfilment of long-awaited dreams and the struggle in the last 15 years has come to a victorious end,” he said.