Ganiyu Olamiji Oyebanjo (GOCO) has weighed in on the ongoing debate sparked by a recent article titled “Before Tinubu Metamorphoses into Another Donald Trump…”, offering a nuanced perspective on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ultimatum regarding local government autonomy and the enforcement of the Supreme Court judgment of July 11, 2024.
Oyebanjo observed that the president’s ultimatum highlights a long-standing and deep-rooted crisis within Nigeria’s federal system, particularly concerning the constitutional status and financial independence of local governments. He agreed that President Tinubu is right to insist on full compliance with the Supreme Court ruling, stressing that judgments of the apex court must be respected and implemented without hesitation.
However, GOCO cautioned that while the demand for the release of the estimated ₦7.43 trillion allegedly held by state governments is justified, enforcement must strictly follow constitutional and legal procedures. According to him, any attempt to bypass due process in enforcing the judgment could create fresh constitutional challenges and weaken the rule of law.
He also rejected comparisons between President Tinubu and former United States President Donald Trump, describing such analogies as inaccurate and misleading. Oyebanjo noted that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is an experienced political actor with deep institutional knowledge, having previously served as a Senator and Governor before ascending to the presidency.
“He did not arrive at the presidency through a fire brigade approach,” Oyebanjo said, adding that the president is neither irrational nor intoxicated by power. He explained that Tinubu’s strong rhetoric should be interpreted as a warning to recalcitrant governors who continue to ignore the Supreme Court judgment, rather than as an intention to act outside constitutional boundaries.
As a more sustainable path forward, GOCO advised the president to adopt a strictly legal strategy. He urged President Tinubu to formally mandate the Attorney General of the Federation to initiate contempt proceedings against any governor who refuses to comply with the judgment, thereby compelling obedience through the courts rather than executive directives.
Reflecting on earlier engagements, Oyebanjo recalled that he had canvassed similar arguments during a recent Budget Retreat at Kosofe Local Government, expressing confidence that unfolding events would now validate the concerns and positions he raised at the time.
His intervention adds to the expanding national conversation on local government autonomy, constitutionalism, and the delicate balance between executive authority and judicial processes in Nigeria’s evolving federal democracy.