The All Progressives Congress, APC, has commended the decision of the Supreme Court affirming the right of local government councils to receive their monthly allocations directly from the federation account.
Justice Emmanuel Agim-led seven-man panel also upheld the position of the federal government that state governors lack authority under the law to arbitrarily dissolve democratically-elected local government councils and set up caretaker committees in their place as ubiquitously practised.
The apex court had in its ruling on Thursday said it was an act of gross misconduct paying local government allocation through states.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka in a statement issued Friday said the judgment constitutes the single most significant stride towards restructuring Nigeria since the country’s return to civilian democratic rule in 1999.
He added that it gives practical expression to the constitutional recognition of local government councils as the third tier of government.
Morka noted that the decision struck down the proxy system in which state governments received federal allocations on behalf of local government councils in the country.
The party also commended the ingenuity, vision and commitment of President Bola Tinubu towards deepening the country’s democracy and turning the local government councils into potential strongholds for development and more efficient service delivery to our populations at the grassroots.
Morka said: “This decision signifies a historic moment in the consolidation of democratic federalism in our country.
“It gives practical expression to constitutional recognition of local government councils as the third tier of government.
“We applaud the Supreme Court for justifying itself, and for its courage in rendering a definitive decision on this vexed national issue.
“The clarity that it brings will, no doubt, spur further reform for effectiveness, transparency and accountability of local government administration in the country.”
APC hails Supreme Court decision on financial autonomy for LGs
