2 months ago
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The recent ruling by the Supreme Court regarding Local Government autonomy has been embraced by the Governors elected under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Naija News reports that the Supreme Court’s declaration on July 11, stated that it is unconstitutional for state governors to withhold funds intended for Local Government administrations.
Additionally, the court barred governors from disbanding democratically elected Local Government councils.
Following a week after this significant ruling, the PDP governors expressed their acceptance of the apex court’s decision.
The state leaders, however, emphasized the need for careful implementation of the court’s ruling.
Naija News reports that the PDP governors conveyed their stance after a meeting of the Forum at the Enugu State Government House, Enugu, on Wednesday.
In a communique issued at the conclusion of the meeting by its Chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed, the Forum reiterated its commitment to supporting the autonomy of Local Governments as outlined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The governor said the Forum “Believes in the efficacy of the local government system which ensures that governance is brought closer to the people as provided for in the constitution, adding that it “holds the Supreme Court in the highest esteem, and is committed to obedience to court orders.
“However, the Forum urges that implementation of the court decision must be done in a manner that does not create a trust deficit between the federal governments and sub-national governments while also ensuring that the system does not suffer.”
Minimum Wage: Labour Unions’ Demand Justified
Also, during the meeting, the PDP governors expressed their views on the requests from the organized labour for a raise in the country’s minimum wage, stating that the request for a pay hike by the labour unions’ is “totally reasonable” considering the country’s deteriorating economic situation.
They, nonetheless, cautioned that the ultimate deal on the revised minimum wage should be practical and it should consider the ability of all levels of government to afford it.
“While the Forum fully supports labour’s demand, the agreement must take into consideration the ability to pay by the local government, sub-national and federal government.
“While negotiations are ongoing, we appeal for restraint in both utterances and actions that could lead to the complete breakdown of law and order and, ultimately, the collapse of the economy,” the communique reads.
Naija News reports that a new minimum wage has been a topic of discussion among labour unions, federal and state governments, and the private sector.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have proposed N494,000 as the new minimum wage, citing inflation and economic hardship.
However, the federal government’s proposed N60,000 offer was rejected.
The labour unions grounded the nation’s economy on June 3 to press home their demands. The Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) stated that a N60,000 minimum wage would be unsustainable.
The tripartite committee meeting saw organised labour rejecting the N62,000 proposed by the government and lowering its demand to N250,000. Despite insisting on a N250,000 minimum wage, the Federal Government urged the labour unions to demand a more realistic and sustainable wage.
President Bola Tinubu directed the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, to present the cost implications for a new minimum wage.
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