Nigeria’s Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Local Government Autonomy, Former Governor Praised for Pioneering Effort

In a significant development, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has barred the Federal Government from paying local governments’ allocations through state governments, a move that could significantly impact the country’s political landscape. This ruling comes as a result of a landmark lawsuit filed by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) on behalf of the Nigerian Government.

According to the court’s decision, henceforth, no more payments of local government area allocations will be made to state government accounts. The court also prohibited governors from receiving, tampering with, or withholding funds meant for local governments, as well as dissolving democratically elected officials for local governments, deeming such actions a breach of the 1999 Constitution.

This ruling is being hailed as a major victory for the cause of local government autonomy, and it is being credited to the pioneering efforts of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who attempted to grant local governments full autonomy during his tenure. Kaduna North House of Representatives member, Bello El-Rufai, has praised his father’s efforts, saying that history will vindicate him for his work in this area.

The ruling is seen as a major step towards decentralization and empowering local governments to take control of their own affairs. It is expected to have a significant impact on the country’s political dynamics, particularly in the north, where local governments have long been seen as a key battleground for power.

The court’s decision is a major victory for advocates of local government autonomy, who have been fighting for years to give local governments more control over their own affairs. It is also a significant blow to the federal government’s control over local governments, and it is expected to lead to a more decentralized system of governance in Nigeria.