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A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and human rights activist, Femi Falana, has called on Nigerians to actively monitor the activities of local government officials following a landmark Supreme Court ruling.
Naija News reports that on Thursday, the Supreme Court, in a decision delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, mandated the Federal Government to commence direct payments to local government accounts, thereby reinforcing financial autonomy for local governments.
This ruling criticized the longstanding resistance by state governments to grant financial independence to local government areas.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Falana emphasized the importance of public vigilance in ensuring political stability and security.
He said, “The judgment is going to advance the struggle for accountability if Nigerians can own the system. If Nigerians can prepare to monitor the activities of local government officials, state government officials, and federal government officials- this is the only way we can have political stability and security in our country.”
Falana welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision, clarifying that it was intended to enhance accountability at the grassroots level rather than diminish the influence of state governments over local governments.
“I have been involved in the struggle for local government autonomy from the beginning. This ruling presents an opportunity for increased accountability, provided the public remains engaged and monitors government activities across all levels,” Falana said.
Falana traced the local government autonomy struggle back to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
He recounted how in 2004, Obasanjo ordered the confiscation of local government funds in Lagos state after the Bola Tinubu administration created new local governments. Lagos state resisted this order and won a Supreme Court case affirming that the president had no authority to seize local government funds.
Falana explained that this earlier Supreme Court decision led to state governments diverting funds intended for local governments.
“Since 1999, funds meant for local governments have been misappropriated by state governments. This prompted the federal government to seek the Supreme Court’s intervention once more, resulting in the recent ruling,” he noted.
He emphasized that the success of the Supreme Court’s ruling now depends on the Nigerian populace. “The implementation of this judgment lies with the people. Despite the autonomy granted, the political structure of local governments remains controlled by state governments, who often manipulate local elections to favor ruling party candidates.”
The post The Judgment Is Going To Advance The Struggle For Accountability If… – Falana Reacts To Supreme Court Ruling On LG Autonomy appeared first on Naija News.