Supreme Court Verdict on Financial Autonomy to LG Authorities Significant Victory for Democracy – Reno Omokri
Former aide to ex president Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Reno Omokri has described the Supreme Court verdict on financial autonomy to Local Government (LG) authorities as significant victory for democracy.
The Supreme Court on Thursday declared that it is unconstitutional for state governors to hold funds allocated for local government administrations.
The verdict which involved a seven-man panel witnessed the declaration of Justice Emmanuel Agim that the 774 local government councils in the country should manage their funds themselves.
The apex court held that the power of the government is portioned into three arms of government, the federal, the state and the local government – and declared that a state government has no power to appoint a caretaker committee.
It also ruled that a local government council is only recognisable with a democratically elected government saying “a democratically elected local government is sacrosanct and non-negotiable.”
Reacting to the judgement, Mr. Omokri said: “The verdict of the Supreme Court today, granting financial autonomy to Local Government Authorities, is a significant victory for democracy in Nigeria.
“By ordering the Federation Account Allocation Committee to pay their federal allocations directly to LGAs, the Supreme Court has stripped Governors of their dictatorial powers over the third tier of government, and created additional checks and balances, because the LGA Chairmen will now be further emboldened to stand up to non-performing Governors and State Houses of Assemblies.”
According to him, the corollary to the judgment barring payment of federal allocation to Local Government Areas (LGAs) without elected chairpersons is another feather in the cap of democracy.
“It removes any incentive for Governors to impose their cronies and lackeys on LGAs, such as Peter Obi, who undemocratically refused to conduct LGA elections during his eight-year tenure as Anambra Governor,” he stated.
He further noted that it is a courageous and commendable judgement, adding that “and their lordships, the Supreme Court Justices, have again proven that the courts are the last hope of the common man.”
