LG Autonomy: Supreme Court Has Relieved Us of a Burden – Govs

• Governors from Nigeria’s 36 states, under the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), are set to convene a crucial meeting next week to review the Supreme Court’s judgment granting autonomy to local government councils
• The NGF Chairman, AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman, expressed relief over the Supreme Court’s decision, noting that governors have been using state resources to bail out local governments, and the ruling eases this burden

Governors from Nigeria’s 36 states, under the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), are set to convene a crucial meeting next week to review the Supreme Court’s judgment granting autonomy to local government councils.

Addressing State House correspondents after meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, NGF Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman, expressed that the Supreme Court’s decision relieved the governors. He noted that governors have been using state resources to bail out local governments, and the ruling eases this burden.

“We welcome the ruling of the Supreme Court, and our Attorney Generals have applied for the enrollment order, which we’ll study carefully,” AbdulRahman said. “Governors are happy with the devolution of power regarding local government autonomy. It relieves the burden on governors. Our people don’t know how much states spend bailing out local governments, and that’s the issue.”

AbdulRahman confirmed that the NGF is awaiting the official enrollment of the judgment and will thoroughly review it to decide on the next steps. The forum plans to meet on Wednesday to discuss the judgment in detail and form a resolution.

The Kwara governor also emphasized that the judgment would not negatively impact his state, as Kwara has not interfered with local government funds. “It’s not going to affect the state. We’ve never tampered with local government funds. The local governments have to manage themselves, especially with the oncoming minimum wage, ensure salaries are paid, and traditional rulers receive their 5%,” he said.

Flanked by his counterparts from Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, and Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, AbdulRahman mentioned that their visit to the Presidential Villa involved discussions on various issues, including the minimum wage, the Supreme Court ruling, and other national concerns affecting states. “We’ve seen the President on various issues, from the minimum wage, which he discussed with labor yesterday, to the Supreme Court ruling and other national issues concerning states. It’s omnibus,” he concluded.