BY LAW IBITOYE
President Bola Tinubu has applauded the ruling of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, affirming the autonomy of the statutory rights of local governments.
The president who tasked local Government leaders to ensure the masses enjoy people-oriented programmes, however bemoaned the aged-long ineffective local government administration on failure to be given full autonomy.
The president in a statement by
Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale after the supreme jugement on Thursday read” The Renewed Hope Agenda is about the people of this country, at all levels, irrespective of faith, tribe, gender, political affiliation, or any other artificial line they say exists between us. This country belongs to all of us. By virtue of this judgement, our people – especially the poor – will be able to hold their local leaders to account for their actions and inactions. What is sent to local government accounts will be known, and services must now be provided without excuses.
“My administration instituted this suit because of our unwavering belief that our people must have relief and today’s judgement will ensure that it will be only those local officials elected by the people that will control the resources of the people. This judgement stands as a resounding affirmation that we can use legitimate means of redress to restructure our country and restructure our economy to make Nigeria a better place to live in and a fairer society for all of our people,” President Tinubu stated.
The president noted that the unsteady and feeble essential amenities in the local government was caused by usurpation of it’s statutory rights.
He said “the construction and maintenance of certain roads, streets, street lighting, drains, parks, gardens, open spaces, and other residual responsibilities, including community security, has tottered owing to the emasculation of local governments.”
The statement reads further, the President affirms that the decision of the Supreme Court to uphold the constitutional rights and ideals of local governments as regards financial autonomy, and other salient principles, is of historic significance and further reinforces the effort to enhance Nigeria’s true federal fabric for the development of the entire nation.
Commended the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) for his diligence and patriotic effort on this important assignment.
The President states that his administration remains committed to protecting the principles of the charter governing citizens, institutions of government, arms, and tiers of government in furtherance of building an efficient and performance-driven governance system that works for every Nigerian.