Mr Muhammed Shehu, Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), on Friday stated that the Supreme Court judgment affirming the autonomy of Local Government Councils was a landmark achievement.
Shehu praised President Bola Tinubu for his remarkable and thoughtful efforts in taking a bold step to ensure the judgment was achieved.
The Chairman made the commendation while addressing members of the board and management staff of the commission at a sensitisation meeting by the RMAFC in Abuja.
The Supreme Court, on 11 July 2024, affirmed the financial autonomy of 774 local governments in the country.
Shehu recalled the prestige attached to the position of local government chairman and the impactful contributions of council chairmen to grassroots development in the past.
Shehu said the RMAFC was solidly behind the Supreme Court’s decision in enforcing the law on local government autonomy.
“This development is very good for the commission and the grassroots in Nigeria.
“In the 1970s, local governments were so powerful that a former federal commissioner would return to the local government to contest elections. We believe this is positive for Nigeria.”
Shehu emphasised the need for patience and understanding of the government’s decision, adding that it was beneficial for the nation’s overall good.
He said democratic governance was in the best interest of the country.
Mr Mohammed Abdul, a Legal Consultant to the commission, urged other tiers of government to adhere to the ruling to promote transparency and accountability for effective service delivery at the grassroots level.
The Secretary to the commission, Mr Nwaze Okechukwu, said the commission would uphold the rule of law and ensure the principles of local government autonomy were fully implemented, in line with the Supreme Court’s directives.