The National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has expressed profound disappointment and frustration over the delayed implementation of the financial autonomy for local governments, which was mandated by the Supreme Court in its ruling six months ago. The union has called for immediate action to ensure that local governments receive their monthly allocations directly into their accounts, as stipulated by the law.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, during a recent media chat, revealed that the federal government has not yet started depositing monthly allocations directly into local government accounts, despite the Supreme Court ruling. His statement has sparked renewed concerns among local government employees and stakeholders.
At a press conference held on Thursday, Hakeem Ambali, the National President of NULGE, expressed disappointment that the directive has not been enforced. Ambali noted that the implementation, initially scheduled for October 2024, has now been delayed for months. He emphasized that the ruling leaves no room for negotiation or postponement.
“We are deeply disappointed that six months after the Supreme Court’s ruling, the federal government has yet to comply with this directive,” Ambali stated. “During the Yuletide season, assurances were given that the implementation would begin in January 2025. Yet, as of now, we are still discussing this issue. This delay is unacceptable and undermines the spirit of the court’s decision. We urge President Bola Tinubu to act immediately to honor the ruling.”
Ambali also highlighted that President Tinubu had reassured governors during a New Year’s Day meeting that the ruling would be enforced by the end of January 2025. He urged the President to fulfill this promise and ensure that funds are credited directly to local government accounts without intermediaries.
“At the Yuletide meeting with the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, the President reiterated his commitment to implementing this directive. We expect full compliance by the end of January 2025,” Ambali stressed. “The era of routing local government funds through state governments must come to an end. The Supreme Court’s decision is binding and final, and any delay is a violation of the rule of law.”
To enhance transparency and accountability, Ambali revealed that NULGE had submitted several proposals to the federal government. These proposals include publishing monthly allocations to local governments in national newspapers and setting up a monitoring committee to oversee fund disbursements. He also recommended organizing capacity-building seminars for councillors to ensure that funds are utilized effectively for grassroots development.
“Local government financial autonomy is critical for grassroots development,” Ambali stated. “When funds are allocated directly, local governments will have the financial independence necessary to execute projects and initiatives that benefit their communities. This is a transformative step toward progress.”
Ambali also condemned recent laws passed by Governors Alex Otti of Abia State and Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, which he claimed undermine the autonomy granted to local governments. He argued that these laws are inconsistent with the Supreme Court ruling and should be nullified.
“Governors Soludo and Otti have enacted laws that contradict the Supreme Court’s decision on local government autonomy. Such laws are illegal and void. The Attorney General has already declared these actions unlawful, and we expect violators to face legal consequences,” Ambali said.
He emphasized that governors cannot evade accountability by undermining local government autonomy. “This battle is about upholding the law and ensuring that local governments receive their rightful allocations. Any attempt to sideline this process will not be tolerated,” he concluded.
