THE presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC),Atiku Abubakar for the 2027 election, says he would ensure that local governments gets their allocated funds allocation directly if he gets elected next year.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 1, Kenneth Okonkwo, Atiku’s spokesperson, said the former vice-president would uphold the rule of law and strengthen local government autonomy if elected.
Recall,the supreme court had on July 11,2024 ruled that allocations from the federation account should be paid directly to the 774 local government councils rather than through state governments.
The judgment followed a suit filed by the federal government against the 36 state governors over the administration and funding of local governments.
Despite the court ruling, many states have not complied to the directive causing problems at that level of governance.
“My administration will respect court judgments, protect local government autonomy, ensure that public funds reach the people for whom they are meant, and restore true federalism,” the statement quoted Atiku as saying.
He said the move would bring development closer to Nigerians at the grassroots and reduce poverty.
Atiku also said direct funding would give local governments greater financial independence and improve their capacity to tackle crime and terrorism.
The former vice-president accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of failing to enforce the court judgment.
He alleged that the decision was influenced by a desire to not confront All Progressives Congress (APC) state governors who previously controlled local government funds.
According to him, the funds were being retained as an “enticement” for governors to support Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
“Atiku acknowledges that the Supreme Court had ruled on July 2024 that local government funds should be paid directly to local governments,” the statement said.
“Yet, the current administration of President Tinubu has failed to enforce this judgment, seemingly to avoid confronting the gluttonous APC State Governors who previously controlled these funds, as an enticement to them to use the Local Government funds to buy votes for Tinubu in 2027 presidential election.”
The Advocate Times reports that the 4th Schedule of the 1999 Constitution lists what local governments supposed to do which includes Primary Health Care,basic education and adult literacy,roads,drainage and rural infrastructure,markets,motor parks and shops.
It also includes agriculture and rural development,licencing and Unfortunately,most of these functions are taken over by stats governments through joint accounts, caretaker committee and direct control of projects.
