By Gabriel Ameh, The Sight News
FollowTheMoney, an initiative of Connected Development (CODE), has lauded the recent landmark ruling by the Supreme Court, which declared it unconstitutional for state governors to hold funds allocated for local government administrations.
This is just as it noted that this judgment, delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim and supported by a seven-man panel, is a significant step towards ensuring financial autonomy and strengthening democratic governance at the local government level in Nigeria.
In a press statement issued and signed on 11th July 2024 by Hamzat Lawal, CODE’s Chief Executive, he noted that the Supreme Court’s decision affirms that the 774 local government councils in the country should manage their funds independently.
According to him, this ruling is pivotal in reinforcing the autonomy of local governments, which form the third tier of government alongside the federal and state governments, however by guaranteeing financial independence, local governments will be better equipped to address the needs of their communities, improve service delivery, and promote grassroots development.
Furthermore, he noted that the court’s declaration that state governments have no authority to elect caretaker committees underscores the importance of democratic processes, adding that a local government council is only recognizable with a democratically elected government, ensuring that the voices of the people are heard and respected.
“FollowTheMoney has consistently advocated for transparency, accountability, and the efficient use of public funds hence we believe that the Supreme Court’s ruling will contribute to these goals by preventing the diversion of local government funds and promoting responsible governance.
“We urge all state governments to comply with this ruling and ensure that local governments receive their allocated funds directly because it is crucial for the development of our communities and the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria”, he said.
“As we celebrate this victory for democracy and local governance, FollowTheMoney remains committed to monitoring the allocation and utilization of public funds to ensure that they serve the best interests of the people as we call on citizens, civil society organizations, and all stakeholders to join us in this effort to hold our leaders accountable and foster a culture of transparency and good governance”, he added.
