Atiku Abubakar reacts to the Supreme Court judgement on financial autonomy for Local Governments in Nigeria.
The former Vice-President and 2023 presidential candidate of People Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has joined several other notable personalities in the country to react to the Supreme Court’s judgement on Local Governments autonomy in Nigeria.
The former Vice-President took to his official social media (X) handle to react to the apex Court verdict on Local Governments financial autonomy.
Atiku, who hailed the Supreme Court’s judgement, said, is a win for the people of Nigeria.
“The judgment of the Supreme Court earlier today affirming fiscal autonomy to local government councils in the country is a win for the people of Nigeria.” Said, Atiku Abubakar.
He said further that, “The court’s ruling is a step in the right direction and a major corrective action in greasing the wheels of national development across the country.”
He added, “The decision by the Federal Government to consolidate disbursements of local councils’ revenues into the state government accounts was a decision that was borne out of politics of hasty compromise.
“I align with the decision of the Supreme Court that the structure of the Nigerian government is portioned in three layers, and of these, the local governments should be centres of development.
“I also share the belief that fiscal autonomy to the local governments should not be limited to revenues from the Federation Accounts, but indeed, should apply to Internally Generated Revenue from the respective local government authorities.
“Many of our states, especially those in the ultra urban areas with high density economic activities, have become notorious in muscling local councils from generating revenue on items that border on motor parks, outdoor advertising, rents and many more.
“The verdict of the court is in tandem with the core functions of the Supreme Court as an arbitration court between and among governments.”
What are your reactions to the Supreme Court judgement on the local government autonomy in Nigeria?
