The Forum of Local Government Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said governors elected on the party’s platform are committed to implementing the Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local government councils.
Chairman of Chanchaga Local Government Area in Niger State and Chairman of the Progressives Local Government Chairmen Forum, Dr Mustafa Jibril Alheri, made the remarks while briefing journalists in Abuja after leading members of the forum to a meeting with the APC national leadership.
Alheri dismissed claims that APC governors were resisting the implementation of local government autonomy, describing the process as gradual and noting that relations between council chairmen and their governors remain cordial.
“I want to also use this opportunity to assure you that we have the support of our governors. My own governor, the Governor of Niger State, Farmer Mohammed Umar Bago, is a strong supporter of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and one of the greatest leaders we have had regarding the issue of local government autonomy,” he said.
According to him, several APC-controlled states are already implementing the Supreme Court ruling as part of a transition process.
“The President has been pursuing this for a very long time, and a lot of our states, especially the progressive states, are enjoying full autonomy. It is a gradual transition process that has been going on for a long time. The APC, through the leadership of the President, is committed to ensuring complete local government autonomy,” Alheri added.
The Supreme Court, in a landmark judgment delivered in July 2024, affirmed the financial autonomy of local governments and ruled that allocations from the Federation Account should be paid directly to local councils.
In the unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim on behalf of a seven-member panel, the apex court held that it is unconstitutional for state governors to receive and withhold funds meant for local government areas.
Despite the ruling, several states have yet to fully implement the decision, prompting President Bola Tinubu to warn at the APC National Executive Committee meeting in December that he could issue an Executive Order to enforce compliance.
Responding to concerns over delays, Alheri maintained that the implementation process is progressing steadily.
“In Niger State, we are receiving all the support we need from our governor, and most states under the Progressive Local Government leadership are also enjoying similar cooperation. We are working together with our governors, slowly but surely, toward complete autonomy,” he said.
He added that local government chairmen are actively involved in decisions taken by their state governments and expressed confidence that full local government autonomy would eventually be achieved nationwide.
Alheri also expressed optimism that more governors would embrace the policy, saying the APC remains committed to strengthening local government administration across the country.