July 12, (THEWILL) – Following Thursday’s Supreme Court judgment that granted financial autonomy to the 774 local governments in the federation, a group, the African Network For Anti-corruption (ANA), has cautioned State Governors against appointing their loyalists as local government chairpersons.
Convener of the group, Muhammad Musbahu Basirka, sounded the caution while addressing a news conference at the NUJ press centre, Kano, on Friday.
“We will be monitoring closely to ensure that this autonomy is not compromised,” Basirka said.
He commended the Supreme Court for the judgement which he described as historic and courageous, while acknowledging the efforts of Civil Society Organisations, the media and other stakeholders who advocated for local government autonomy in the country.
“However, we recognise that this judgement is only the first step. We urge the Federal and State Governments to respect and implement this ruling in full,” he said.
According to the group, the financial autonomy would allow the local governments to provide better healthcare, education and infrastructure for their respective communities.
It would also create job opportunities and stimulate local economies, respond more effectively to local needs and priorities, as well as reduce poverty and inequality, the group said.
The group noted that 20 states spread across the federation had yet to conduct their local government elections, which, according to it, barred them from receiving local government allocations from July until they do so.
It urged the concerned states to promptly conduct their local government elections to “ensure that the autonomy granted by the Supreme Court is not undermined”.
Abdullahi Yusuf is a seasoned journalist, communicator and was previously the Deputy Editor-In-Chief and Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Jos, where he retired on December 15, 2021
