The Supreme Court ruled that it is illegal for governors to hold onto funds meant for local governments.
The apex court, in a unanimous decision by a seven-member panel of justices, barred governors of the 36 states of the federation from receiving, withholding, tampering or utilizing funds that stand to the credit of the local government areas ².
Senator Orji Kalu stated that the Supreme Court judgement is one that should be hailed and applauded, especially for the courage and independence shown by the judiciary. He believes that the judgement may look like interference in the states, but it is a major breakthrough for the success of local government administration ¹.
When Kalu was governor between 1999-2007, he gave his local government chairmen autonomy, which resulted in the building of roads, contracts given to local contractors, and a reduction in crime to the barest minimum. He also appealed to the Federal Government to consider making a case for local government elections to be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) instead of the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) ¹.
President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, Labour Party, LP, and Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, have also hailed the Supreme Court judgement ². However, former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, said the verdict has dealt a severe setback to the principle of federalism in the country ².
The Supreme Court's judgement generated mixed reactions, but it is a significant development in the political landscape of Nigeria, and it remains to be seen how the story will unfold in the coming weeks and months.