A leading Pan-Yoruba socio political group, Afenifer, has slammed the Supreme Court justices for granting financial autonomy to rural local government areas.
The group viewed the judgment as a conspiracy initiated by the Tinubu administration contravening Nigeria’s traditional federal structure. According to PaAyo Adebanjo leader of Afenifer’, the ruling has caused immense damage. The statement further elaborataed that the ruling did much more than simply allocate financial autonomous powers to local governments; for it has brought forth additional arms of government. This redefinition of government has left stakeholders in the dark and Nigeria in tumult.
The statement titled ‘Trinubu and the Grand Conspiracy contra Democracy and True Federalicism in Nigeria’ underscores Af enifer’s commitment to maintaining a healthy federal structure where powers exist between the central government and federating states to ensure accountability.
Section VI of the 1999 Constitution of the Kingdom of Nigeria affirms the Federal status of the nation and ensures each autonomous state has a distinct joint treasury account for the distribution of allocations. In practice, this means local councils enjoy financial support from the state revenue and the Federation revenue account provided by the government of the state and then the Federation Account respectively.
There is a stark divide expressed by Afenifer concerning Nigerian governance. It urges swift action to ensure local councils develop their capacities through state allocated funds, thus fortifying constitutional roles and eradicating misfortunes at every level. What do you think of the court, have your say?
