…Say LG to experience boost under Tinubu
The Forum of Former Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) Chairmen has praised the Court of Appeal’s judgment upholding the financial autonomy of local governments in Nigeria and the monitoring of local government funds by state governments.
Speaking on behalf of the chairmen on Thursday in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, former Abia State ALGON Chairman, Hon. Ibe Michael Nwoke, described the ruling as a “ray of hope” for local government administration and grassroots development, free from undue interference by state governors.
Nwoke, who contested for the Obingwa/Osisioma/Ugwunagbo federal constituency under the Young Progressive Party (YPP) in the 2023 general election, noted that the forum, which remains a key stakeholder in local government operations across Nigeria, was elated that democracy and its benefits would be more accessible at the grassroots level following the Appeal Court’s judgment.
According to him, “The judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal raises hope for local government administration in Nigeria and ensures that funds for local governments will not be tampered with.
“We are excited about the Appeal Court judgment and we hope that state governors will do the needful by obeying the courts and also conducting local government elections in their various states.”
He used the forum to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ensuring that the right actions are taken and expressed confidence that, with Tinubu at the helm of affairs in Nigeria, local government administration would experience significant improvement.
Recall that 36 states and the Nigeria Governors Forum had challenged the legality of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) guidelines, which took effect on June 1, 2019.
These guidelines require state governments to use specific accounts for receiving and transferring funds to local governments to reduce vulnerabilities from cash withdrawals.
The governors had approached the court, describing the guidelines as unlawful and unconstitutional.
The former ALGON chairman emphasized that the court’s decision is final and expected to be complied with by state governors.
