The presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has pledged to ensure that funds meant for local government councils in the country are paid directly to them immediately after being sworn in as President.
Recall that though the Supreme Court had ruled that local governments should draw their federal allocation direct from the federation account, many of them are still not able to do so, thus stalling developments at the grassroots.
However, Atiku in a statement signed and posted via X.com by his official spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, yesterday, said his administration would uphold the rule of law and ensure constitutional independence for all tiers of government, including local governments.
He also referenced the Supreme Court judgment delivered in July 2024 on the financial autonomy of local governments, accusing the administration of President Bola Tinubu of failing to enforce the judgment.
According to him, the alleged failure is aimed at avoiding confrontation with state governors who previously controlled local government funds.
“My administration will respect court judgments, protect local government autonomy, ensure that public funds reach the people for whom they are meant, and restore true federalism.
“This move will ensure that development is brought to the grassroots, reduce poverty at the level of government nearest to the people, and guarantee financial independence to the local governments which will increase their capacity to fight crimes and terrorism at that level,’’ Atiku stated.
He alleged that the Tinubu administration’s position was influenced by political considerations ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The ADC president candidate claimed that state governors were being allowed to retain control of local government funds as an incentive to support Tinubu’s re-election bid.
“This is not the Nigeria we should accept,” the former Vice President stated.
