The President of Senate Godswill Akpabio, says the Senate is fully in support of the Supreme Court’s judgement on granting financial autonomy to the 774 Local Governments in Nigeria.
Senator Akpabio said this, shortly after senate resumed from a closed session over a motion sponsored by Senator Tony Nwoye.(Labour Party, Anambra State)
The motion by Senator Nwoye, was on an alleged attempt by some state governments through their Houses of Assemblies to enact laws to circumvent ruling of the supreme court to grant financial autonomy to local governments.
“We stand solidly behind the Supreme Court judgement and pronouncement on the local government autonomy.
“We have looked at the motion and saw that some of the prayers would conflict with the exiting provisions within the constitution, and we have jointly agreed on two prayers.
“Because we believe strongly that if there is any legacy that this adminstration and indeed the 10th Senate and National Assembly wil live behind.
“It is the legacy of sanitising the local government by ensuring that the local government funds are fully utilised for the benefits of rural people,”Senator Akpabio said.
Senate, thereafter approved the two prayers out of the six prayers advanced by Senator Tony Nwoye in his motion.
Senate consequently urged all state and local governments to fully comply to the recent Supreme Court judgement on disbursement and utilisation of funds accrued to all local governments in Nigeria.
Provide full autonomy
The Senate also pledged to ensure alterations to relevant provisions of the constitution to provide full autonomy to local governments in Nigeria.
Senator Akpabio, speaking further after the approval of the two prayers said.
“Let me thank my colleagues for all their contributions and thank distinguished Senator Tony Nwoye who brought out the motion on attempt to circumvent the ruling of the supreme court.
“I want to assure you that the national assembly will alter any aspect of our constitution and amend any section of our law to ensure full autonomy for local government administration in Nigeria.”
It would be recalled that in early August, 2024, the Supreme Court barred all 36 governors from retaining or utilising funds allocated for the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the country.
The court ruled that it was illegal and unconstitutional for governors to continue to receive and seize funds meant for LGAs in their states.
The country’s apex court ruled that it was illegal and unconstitutional for governors to continue to receive and seize funds allocated to LGAs in their states.
Lateefah Ibrahim
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