Senior Advocate of Nigeria and human rights activist, Femi Falana, has urged Nigerians to closely monitor local government activities following a landmark Supreme Court ruling. On Thursday, Justice Emmanuel Agim of the Supreme Court mandated the Federal Government to directly pay local government accounts, reinforcing their financial autonomy.
This ruling challenges the longstanding practice by state governments to restrict financial independence for local governments.
Falana emphasized the critical role of public vigilance in ensuring political stability and security. “The judgment is going to advance the struggle for accountability if Nigerians can own the system. If Nigerians can prepare to monitor the activities of local government officials, state government officials, and federal government officials- this is the only way we can have political stability and security in our country,” Falana stated.
Falana welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision, clarifying that it aims to enhance accountability at the grassroots level without diminishing state governments’ influence over local governments. “I have been involved in the struggle for local government autonomy from the beginning. This ruling presents an opportunity for increased accountability, provided the public remains engaged and monitors government activities across all levels,” he said.
He recounted the history of the local government autonomy struggle, tracing it back to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration. In 2004, Obasanjo ordered the confiscation of local government funds in Lagos state after the Bola Tinubu administration created new local governments. Lagos state resisted and won a Supreme Court case affirming that the president had no authority to seize local government funds.
Falana explained that this earlier Supreme Court decision led to state governments diverting funds meant for local governments. “Since 1999, funds meant for local governments have been misappropriated by state governments. This prompted the federal government to seek the Supreme Court’s intervention once more, resulting in the recent ruling,” he noted.
He emphasized that the success of the Supreme Court’s ruling now depends on the Nigerian populace. “The implementation of this judgment lies with the people. Despite the autonomy granted, the political structure of local governments remains controlled by state governments, who often manipulate local elections to favor ruling party candidates.”
