LG autonomy: FG trying to create another bureaucracy – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party has described the Supreme Court judgment granting autonomy to local governments as a potential recipe for trouble.

A month after the judgment, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, addressed a world press conference in Abuja on Sunday, stating that the matter is not yet settled.

On July 11, the Supreme Court ruled that the 36 state governors can no longer control funds meant for the 774 Local Government Areas (LGs) in Nigeria.

The judgment, delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, affirmed that these local governments must manage their own funds, reinforcing their financial independence.

The court also declared that state governments lack the authority to appoint caretaker committees for local councils, recognizing only democratically elected local governments.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who is the Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, had warned that the public will bear the consequences of the judgment.

“The law is the law, and when there is a conflict, yes, we should go to the court.

“But it behoves us to look for our own homegrown solutions that can ensure that we have transparency and that our people do not suffer. This is because when two elephants are fighting, it is the grass that will suffer, he said.

Ologunagba disclosed that the PDP is currently reviewing the judgment and emphasised the importance of addressing issues of this magnitude through dialogue rather than through the courts.

He stated, “The concern is very clear, and local governments are related to the state because they are closer to it. Now, as a party, we are reviewing those positions of the Supreme Court with concern. And I will say this—the fact that the federal government is trying to create another bureaucracy that would be corrupt or deviant in local government control, we think that would be another recipe for trouble.

“It would be close to where it would be available for manipulation from the federal government. We believe that if there are reforms to be made to the local government, they should be done in conjunction with the governors, not by the fiat of the federal government.

“I don’t have issues with the court, which in its wisdom has done things a certain way. But, of course, I believe that will not be the end of the matter as we speak because the people who have a responsibility for the local government are the governors. The federal government doesn’t see people in my village; it is the governors.

“Therefore, if there are concerns, then it should be in conjunction with the local government so that the benefits can go to the people, not by some fiat. The law does not attempt the impossible. When it does, it will fall face down. I believe that we haven’t seen the end of that with respect to local government administration.”

The PDP spokesman noted that if issues arise within a local government, the chairman will reach out to the state governors, not the Federal Government.

Ologunagba added that governors have a crucial role in managing local governments.

He stated, “The state government has responsibility. If there is a problem in the local government, they won’t call the federal government; they will call the state government. So there must be that understanding that the state government has a duty, and a responsibility, and what you can work on is the best way to allow for the efficiency of that state government, with the governors and the concerns provided for local government joint accounts.

“Again, these are issues that are ongoing. As a party, we are going to have more conversations. We are going to talk to our governors more and find out. I believe that, ultimately, the governors have a substantial role to play with regard to administering local government because it’s right there in their laps.

“I said, and I mean with all sense of responsibility, I do not think we have seen the end of that. If the LGA withdraw from ALGON, it will have an effect. That should not be the intent. We want better administrative rights; then we need to have a conversation.”