President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to implementing the Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments across Nigeria.
The President gave the assurance on Thursday while addressing governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the party’s caucus meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Tinubu urged APC governors to desist from interfering with local government funds, stressing that true autonomy can only exist when councils receive their allocations directly.
According to him, the implementation of the apex court’s ruling must go beyond pronouncements and be made practical and effective across the federation.
“Let us equally look at the recent Supreme Court judgment. What can we do with it, and how well can we position our country and our party?” Tinubu said.
“To me, local government autonomy is and must be effective. Let us give them. There is no autonomy without a funded mandate,” he added.
The President stated emphatically that direct allocation to local governments was the only way to comply with the court’s ruling.
“We give them their money directly. That’s the truth. That’s compliance with the Supreme Court,” Tinubu declared.
Beyond funding, the President also charged governors to show flexibility in governance and remain actively involved in developments at all levels within their states.
“You have to navigate this country; whether we like it or not, you are in leadership positions that must yield and continue to promote, tolerate, be flexible and get involved in whatever is happening in your various states, up to the local government level,” he said.
