Tag: LG Autonomy

“Local government autonomy unrealistic” –  Fashola

Aminu Imam
Fashola on LG Autonomy

Former Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, (SAN), has described the idea of full autonomy for local governments in the country as unrealistic, citing constitutional limitations and historical challenges with local governance. He explained that the Constitution did not support the notion of independent local government administration as often demanded. Fashola, who stated this while speaking on a television programme at the weekend, said: “I think the debate we must have is whether we really want autonomous local government. As it stands today, it is unrealistic to…

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One year after S’Court ruling, Govs.. still control ₦4.5tr LG funds – Report

Aminu Imam
LG funds Report2

…FG insists Tinubu committed to autonomy Exactly one year after the Supreme Court ordered direct funding for Nigeria’s 774 local governments, state governors still maintain control over their allocations, defying the landmark ruling and frustrating efforts to strengthen grassroots governance. A recent report revealed that between July 2024 and June 2025, local councils received about ₦4.5 trillion from the Federation Account, yet the funds continued to pass through state governments rather than going directly to local government accounts as the Supreme Court directed. The apex court had declared the use…

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Autonomy: ‘LGAs to receive direct federal allocations from January’ – Presidency

Aminu Imam
Presidency on LGAs3

The Presidency says local government councils will from January 2025, start receiving their allocations directly from the Federal Allocation Account Committee, (FAAC), marking a significant step towards local government autonomy. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, who made this disclosure during an interview on a television programme on Thursday night, noted that President Bola Tinubu is committed to implementing the Supreme Court’s landmark July 2024 judgment, which declared state control over local government funds unconstitutional. Recall that the apex court had, in a unanimous…

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Controversy over Local Govt’s fiscal autonomy lingers

Aminu Imam
Tinubu, AGF, Governors

…As Tinubu, AGF, Governors clash over implementation The debate over the fiscal autonomy of Nigeria’s 774 local governments continues, despite last year’s Supreme Court ruling affirming their independence.  Recent remarks by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a New Year homage by State governors and Vice-President Kashim Shettima have fueled the controversy, raising questions about the autonomy’s implementation. Recall that President Tinubu, while emphasising grassroots development, has reiterated that there was no disagreement with the State governors over autonomy. However, he urged them to ensure local governments fulfill their mandate, calling…

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“Don’t allow cabals stop LG autonomy” – NULGE begs Tinubu

Aminu Imam
NULGE

President of the National Union of Local Government Employees, (NULGE), Hakeem Ambali, has accused the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), of being responsible for the delay in the direct allocations to local government councils. According to published findings, six months after the Supreme Court granted financial autonomy to local government councils in the country, the implementation of the judgment has yet to take effect. The apex court also directed the Accountant-General of the Federation to pay local government allocations directly to their accounts, declaring the non-remittance of funds by the…

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Autonomy: FG, Governors, LG chairs sign implementation agreement

Aminu Imam
FG, Governors, LGAs

The Committee on Local Government Autonomy, set up by the Federal Government, has concluded its meetings and signed the technical document, which is expected to be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu soon. The National President of the National Union of Local Government Employees, (NULGE), Hakeem Ambali, made this known in an interview on Tuesday. Recall that in May, the Federal Government, represented by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, filed a lawsuit to challenge the governors authority to receive and withhold federal allocations meant…

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LG Autonomy faces setback, as Anambra Gov. introduces Bill to deduct funds

Aminu Imam
Soludo on LG Autonomy

A Bill introduced by Anambra State governor, Charles Soludo has sparked concerns that local government autonomy, recently upheld by the Supreme Court, may be undermined. The Bill requires local government areas (LGAs) to remit a portion of their federal allocations into a consolidated account controlled by the state. Section 13(1) of the Bill stipulates that the state shall maintain a State Joint Local Government Account into which all federal allocations to LGAs must be deposited. Section 14(3) of it mandates that each LGA must remit a State-determined percentage to the…

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LG Autonomy: ICPC threatens defaulting States, Govt. officials

Aminu Imam
ICPC on LG autonomy

Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, has issued a stern warning that the commission will not hesitate to take action against any official or individual who defies the Supreme Courts ruling on local government autonomy. Recall that on July 11, 2024, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment affirming the financial autonomy of Nigerias 774 Local Government Councils. The 7-member panel, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, unanimously upheld a suit brought by the federal government aimed at reinforcing the independence…

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LG Autonomy: FG raises 10-member Cttee to enforce SCourt judgment

Aminu Imam
LG Autonomy logo2

The Federal Government has set up a 10-member Inter-Ministerial Committee to ensure the enforcement of the Supreme Courts recent judgment granting financial autonomy to Local Government Councils in Nigeria. Director, Information & Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Segun Imohiosen, who disclosed this to newsmen yesterday in Abuja, said the SGF, Senator George Akume, who inaugurated the Inter-Ministerial Committee, would himself chair it. Members of the committee are: the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy; Attorney General of…

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LG chairmen, councillors to enjoy 4yr tenure Supreme Court

Aminu Imam
Supreme Court in LGs

The Nigerian Supreme Court has, in a landslide judgement on local government autonomy, ordered that the four-year tenure enjoyed by executives be extended to the offices of all local government area (LGA) chairmen and councillors across the country. This is contained in the Certified True Copy (CTC) of a judgement delivered by Justice Mohammed Garba and six other Justices on May 11, 2024. According to Garba, some States have, by their various illegal actions, starved the local government councils in their States to the extent that most of them cannot…

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