By KP Reporter
In a landmark decision by Nigeria’s Supreme Court last Thursday, local governments across the nation have been granted significant financial autonomy, a ruling that has stirred calls for constitutional reforms from legal experts and activists.
Mr Ige Asemudara, a prominent Lagos-based lawyer and Founder of Mission Against Injustice in Nigeria emphasized in an exclusive interview on Sunday the need for immediate amendments to Nigeria’s constitution following the Supreme Court’s judgment. The ruling, he argues, settles the issue of local government autonomy regarding the direct payment of accrued funds to their accounts without state government interference. However, Asemudara cautioned that challenges remain, stating, “The judgment has given us a half-baked pie. There is a pressing need to amend several constitutional provisions.”
Key among the provisions Asemudara highlighted for amendment are Section 3(6) and the First Schedule, which currently dictates local government structures. “Section 3(6) and the First Schedule undermine the autonomy granted by Section 8(3). It is now imperative to reconsider the role of INEC in local government elections,” he stressed, underscoring the complexities that still impede full autonomy.
Echoing similar sentiments, Mr Kabir Akingbolu, another legal practitioner, hailed the Supreme Court’s decision as a triumph for democracy and a safeguard against gubernatorial overreach. “This judgment prevents governors from arbitrarily siphoning local government funds,” Akingbolu asserted, emphasizing its potential to empower local governments in decision-making and personnel management. He further predicted a transformative impact on grassroots development, noting, “Local government chairmen can now operate with greater independence, free from undue political interference.”
Akingbolu also pointed out the practical implications of the ruling, particularly regarding caretaker committees currently governing many local councils. “The judgment clarifies that only local governments recognized in the First Schedule are eligible for federal allocations,” he explained, highlighting potential ramifications for state-run council development areas.
Amidst these developments, Akingbolu acknowledged governors who have embraced the Supreme Court’s decision, foreseeing a positive shift towards transparent governance and fiscal accountability at the grassroots level.