Nigeria’s governing party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has applauded the landmark decision of the Supreme Court granting local government councils the right to receive their monthly allocations directly from the federation account.
The ruling abolishes the previous system where state governments acted as intermediaries for federal allocations to local governments.
The National Publicity Secretary of APC, Felix Morka in a statement considers the decision a significant milestone in consolidating democratic federalism in Nigeria, recognising local government councils as the third tier of government.
“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. It constitutes a single most significant stride towards restructuring Nigeria since the country’s return to civilian democratic rule in 1999,” he said.
The Publicity Secretary further said the seven-man panel, led by Justice Emmanuel Agim, upheld the federal government’s stance, marking a crucial victory for local government autonomy and democratic decentralization.
“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.
“We commend the ingenuity, vision and commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu towards deepening our democracy and turning our local government councils into potential strongholds for development and more efficient service delivery to our populations at the grassroots,” Morka added.
Confidence Okwuchi
