The Federal Government has taken a significant step towards implementing the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on local government autonomy, inaugurating a 10-member inter-ministerial committee to enforce the decision.
The committee’s establishment follows the Supreme Court’s July 11 ruling, which declared it unconstitutional for state governors to withhold funds meant for local government administrations.
The ruling marked a crucial step towards ensuring the financial independence of local governments, recognized as the third tier of government by the Nigerian Constitution. In response, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator George Akume has set up a high-level committee to implement the verdict, five weeks after the ruling.
Chaired by Akume, the committee comprises key government officials, including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning. Other members include the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, and representatives of state governors and local governments.
According to a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the SGF, Segun Imohiosen, the committee’s primary objective is to ensure local governments receive full autonomy, enabling them to function effectively without state government interference.
This development aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s broader efforts to uphold constitutional provisions recognizing local governments as an essential tier of governance in Nigeria. The move is expected to enhance local governments’ capacity to deliver services effectively to their communities, free from financial constraints imposed by state governments.
The establishment of this committee marks a significant step towards implementing the Supreme Court’s ruling, signaling the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening local governance and promoting transparency and accountability in public fund management.
