From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Federal Government has been called upon to enforce the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy, a move seen as crucial to revitalizing local councils across Nigeria.
Titus Ashaolu, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Kwara State, made this appeal while speaking with journalists in Ilorin.
He emphasized that the implementation of the court’s judgment would rejuvenate local governments nationwide.
Ashaolu, underscored the need for any constitutional amendments to align with the Supreme Court’s verdict on local government autonomy.
He stressed that state governors should adhere to the court’s directive and conduct elections in local governments currently managed by caretaker committees.
He further stated that the court’s ruling mandates the direct payment of funds to local government accounts, ensuring financial independence from state governments.
Supporting this call, Comrade Terry Henry Isaac, Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Kwara State, highlighted that the Supreme Court’s decision liberates local governments from state control.
He urged state governors to respect the court’s orders and restore local governments to their rightful status as the third tier of government.
