Table of Contents
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to promptly implement the Supreme Court ruling that grants financial autonomy to local governments, cautioning that any further delay undermines the Constitution.
The Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision issued in July 2024, declared it unconstitutional for state governments to retain or manage funds allocated to local government areas. The court also stated that the use of caretaker committees places local councils under state control, violating the 1999 Constitution.
During the 15th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Tinubu urged governors to adhere to the ruling, warning that failure to comply might compel him to issue an Executive Order to ensure direct allocations from the Federation Account to local governments.
In response via social media, Atiku accused the President of politicizing the judgment and failing to take decisive action to enforce it.
“At this stage, there is no need for threats of Executive Orders,” Atiku remarked.
“All the President needs to do is direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to enforce the judgment immediately. Anything less is a failure of leadership.”
The former vice president, a leader in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), claimed that Tinubu’s inaction was intentional and politically motivated.
“Your refusal to act is a calculated political strategy—using adherence to the law as leverage to coerce opposition governors into the APC and to maintain strict control over governors within your party,” Atiku stated.
He further emphasized, “In doing so, you have turned the Constitution into a tool of convenience and governance into a matter of partisan negotiation. Supreme Court judgments are conclusive, not optional.”
Atiku warned that the ongoing refusal to enforce the ruling constitutes a breach of constitutional duty.
“Consistently neglecting to enforce this ruling is a direct violation of the Constitution and a betrayal of the oath you took to the Nigerian people,” he stated.
In conclusion, the former vice president cautioned that history would judge the current administration harshly regarding this issue.
“Your ongoing inaction conveys a clear message that political control is prioritized over constitutional responsibility. History will not overlook this moment, and neither will Nigerians,” he added.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Supreme Court ruling entail?
The Supreme Court ruling declared it unconstitutional for state governments to manage funds allocated to local governments and stated that caretaker committees violate the 1999 Constitution.
What is Atiku Abubakar's stance on the ruling?
Atiku Abubakar urges President Tinubu to enforce the ruling without delay, criticizing the President for politicizing the judgment and inaction.
What are the potential consequences of not enforcing the ruling?
Atiku warns that failing to enforce the ruling is a breach of constitutional duty and that history will judge the administration negatively for prioritizing political control over constitutional obligations.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
