LG autonomy suit, Tinubu govt’s best action so far – IPAC

The Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC, has described the Federal Government’s legal action to liberate the local governments from state governors as the best thing the President Bola Tinubu administration has done so far.

DAILY POST reported that the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgement on Thursday 11th July 2024,
granting financial autonomy to local governments and barring the governors from constituting Caretaker Committees to run the affairs of the third tier of government.

IPAC described the ruling as a clear victory for sustainable democracy and development in Nigeria.

IPAC hailed the Federal Government’s action in instituting the suit to liberate the 774 local governments from the clutches of the governors, describing it as the “best decision it has taken so far”.

IPAC’s national Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, stated this at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, saying,
“It is a giant step forward in revamping the economy and bolstering grassroots development across the
country.

“It is unfortunate that Governors who ought to have bolstered Local Government development in the country chose to suffocate it by retaining and utilizing funds meant for the Local Government Areas in flagrant violation of Section 162 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.

“This is important as Governors who are used to diverting Local Governments funds for over two decades could seek ways to circumvent the apex court ruling by using State Houses of Assembly.

“The Supreme Court also declared that Local Governments must be governed by democratically elected officials contrary to the obnoxious appointment of Caretaker Committees to run the affairs of Councils.

This is a welcome development in the onerous task of deepening democracy and fostering sustainable development in Nigeria.

“To maximize this development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should immediately set up a monitoring team to ensure funds released to Local Governments are prudently and judiciously used for the good of the people.

“This will guard against unscrupulous elements from devising new means of siphoning the funds. There must be transparency, probity and accountability in the utilization of funds allocated to the Local Government Areas. “