Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has promised to pay federal allocations directly to local governments immediately he assumes office.
In a statement released on Tuesday on http://X.com by his spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, Atiku said his administration would respect the rule of law and guarantee constitutional independence for all tiers of government.
He referenced the Supreme Court judgment of July 2024 granting financial autonomy to local councils, and accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of refusing to implement it.
According to Atiku, the delay was deliberate to avoid clashing with state governors who have continued to control local government funds.
“My administration will respect court judgments, protect local government autonomy, ensure that public funds reach the people for whom they are meant, and restore true federalism,” the statement read.
“This move will ensure that development is brought to the grassroots, reduce poverty at the level of government nearest to the people, and guarantee financial independence to the local governments which will increase their capacity to fight crimes and terrorism at that level.”
The former Vice President alleged that the Tinubu government’s inaction was politically motivated ahead of the 2027 elections. He claimed governors were being allowed to keep control of LG funds as a way to secure support for the President’s re-election bid.
“This is not the Nigeria we should accept,” Atiku stated.
The issue has remained contentious. Reports in July noted that two years after the Supreme Court ordered direct payment to LGs, the judgment is yet to be fully implemented despite N10.48 trillion being allocated to the third tier of government within that period.
Advertisement