Senate backs s’court ruling on LG autonomy, rejects Governors’ move

October 10, 2024

By Samuel Ogunsona

The Nigerian Senate has thrown its weight behind the Supreme Court’s July 11, 2024, judgment granting financial autonomy to the country’s 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs).

In a move that could spark tension between the Senate and State Governors, the Red Chamber faulted attempts by some Governors to enact laws requiring local councils to remit allocations into a joint account.

The Anambra State House of Assembly’s passage of the Local Government Administration Bill 2024 on Tuesday drew criticism from civil society groups and opposition parties, including Labour Party lawmakers.

They alleged that Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration aimed to strong-arm council chairmen into returning federal allocations to the state.

Reports suggest other state houses of assembly have introduced similar bills on local government administration.

In response, the Senate urged all tiers of Government to comply with the Supreme Court judgment and collaborate with the House of Representatives to amend the 1999 Constitution, ensuring full implementation.

The resolutions were prompted by motions sponsored by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, seconded by Abdul Ningi and Tahir Monguno.

Barau said, “I stand to move on behalf of this Senate for the approval of two prayers in respect of the motion that was brought by Tony Nwoye (Anambra North), thereby discarding the earlier prayers in the motion as sponsored by the mover.

“The two prayers are as follows: all states and local governments must fully comply with the recent Supreme Court judgment on the disbursement of and utilisation of funds accruing to all local governments in Nigeria.

“That the Senate ensures alterations to the relevant provisions of the constitution to provide for the full autonomy of the local governments in Nigeria.”

This development sets the stage for a potential showdown between the Senate and state governors over local government autonomy.

The Senate’s stance aligns with concerns that Governors often misappropriate funds allocated to local government councils, compelling area council chairmen to sign off on cheques that ultimately benefit the state