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Hon. Rotimi Makinde has hailed the judgment of the Supreme Court that declared on Thursday that it is unconstitutional for state Governors to hold funds allocated to Local Government administrations in Nigeria and also ordering immediate compliance of the judgement, stating that no state should be paid monies meant for Local Governments.
Supreme Court had in its lead judgment read by Justice Emmanuel Agim, said the 774 Local Government councils in the country should manage their funds themselves without interference from the State Governors.
Reacting to this popular verdict, the former lawmaker who represented Ife Federal Constituency in the House of Reps during the 7th Assembly described the verdict as a victory for the rule of law in entrenching genuine and constitutional democracy, adding that such move will spur someone like him to throw down the gauntlet in a Local Government election.
The elated politician (Makinde), in a statement he made available to newsmen on Thursday said:
“With a deep sense of excitement in me, I sincerely welcome the verdict of the Supreme Court, which today gave autonomy to the third tier of the government to run their affairs without any undue interference from the state Governors. It is also a thing of joy to hear that Local Governments can now manage their funds themselves. More satisfactorily is the fact that, Justice Agim ordered the immediate compliance of the judgement, stating that no state should be paid monies meant for Local Governments. This is victory for rule of law and constitutional democracy.
"Frankly, this positive development will largely encourage those who have the call to serve to throw their hats in the ring to represent the interests of their constituents at the grassroots level. This has equally created time and unfettered opportunity for the Local government to independently enjoy substantial autonomy to perform array of functions, plan, formulate and execute its own policies, programmes and projects, and its own rules and regulations as deemed for its local needs.
"This autonomy includes power to control its finance, recruit and discipline its staff. This is a plus for our democracy and I have no doubt absolutely that I would not hesitate to join in the race of becoming a Local Government Chairman for the betterment of my people and with my antecedents at the National Assembly, I surely will not disappoint my people should I have the opportunity to serve.
"I also give kudos to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) on behalf of the Federal Government who filed a suit marked SC/CV/343/2024 to enforce the autonomy of the Local Government by, among other things, stopping state governors from appointing caretaker committees to administer local governments in their states.
"Thankfully, the contestation over Local Government autonomy has permanently been laid to rest today, Thursday, July 11, 2024, which further means that any local government manned by a caretaker committee instead of an elected local government chairman and councillors will automatically have their funds from the Federation Account withheld. With this ruling I am once again proud to be a Nigerian and I sincerely give kudos to the temple of justice, the judiciary for exercising their rights and constitutional duties without fear or favour in strengthening our democracy. May God bless and prosper Nigeria," the statement concluded.
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