Senate Backs Supreme Court Ruling On Local Government Autonomy, Urges Compliance
The Senate has expressed full support for the Supreme Court’s judgment on local government autonomy and pledged to collaborate with the House of Representatives to amend relevant constitutional provisions to ensure full autonomy for local governments in Nigeria. The Upper Chamber also called on all states and local governments to comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding the disbursement and utilization of funds to the third tier of government.
These resolutions followed prayers presented by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), after a closed-door session that began at 12:46 p.m. and concluded at 2:08 p.m. Senator Jibrin proposed two key prayers, seconded by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) and Senate Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North).
Senator Jibrin stated, “Based on the deliberation made by this August Senate, I stand to move on behalf of this Senate for the approval of two prayers. The two prayers are as follows: First, that all states and local governments fully comply with the recent Supreme Court judgment on the disbursement and utilization of funds to local governments in Nigeria. Second, that the Senate ensures amendments to relevant provisions of the constitution to provide for the full autonomy of local governments in Nigeria.”
Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, reiterated the Senate’s commitment to the Supreme Court’s decision, stating, “The Supreme Court has said the money should go directly to the accounts of the local governments. The Nigerian Senate stands strongly behind the Supreme Court’s efforts to sanitize the administration of local governments and prevent further abuse of local government funds.”
Akpabio added that the Senate is committed to ensuring that local government funds are properly utilized and that local governments are empowered to function effectively, including conducting their own elections.
Despite the Senate’s backing of the Supreme Court ruling, confusion arose during the session following a motion by Senator Tony Nwoye (LP, Anambra North), who raised concerns about some state governments attempting to bypass the ruling through counter-laws passed by their respective state Houses of Assembly. Nwoye alleged that certain governors were pushing local governments to remit funds into state/local government joint accounts, contrary to the Supreme Court’s judgment.
The debate led to a constitutional point of order by Senator Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi Central), who cited Section 287 of the 1999 Constitution, arguing that the Supreme Court’s ruling is enforceable nationwide and should not be debated. Senate President Akpabio also pointed to Section 162, subsection 6 of the 1999 Constitution, which created the state/local government joint account, suggesting that this provision needs to be amended to fully implement the court’s decision.
Amid the growing tension, the Senate dissolved into a closed-door session to resolve the matter. The final decision on the motion remains pending.
