President Bola Tinubu has warned state governors that he may issue an Executive Order to enforce direct allocations to local governments if they fail to comply with a Supreme Court ruling affirming financial autonomy for the local government (Nigeria’s third tier of government).
Tinubu delivered the warning during the 15th National Executive Committee meeting of the All Progressives Congress held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, attended by governors, party leaders, and members of the National Working Committee.
He emphasized that the Supreme Court had clearly ruled that allocations meant for local councils must be paid directly, rather than through joint state-local government accounts, and reiterated that non-compliance could trigger federal intervention.
In a stern but measured tone, Tinubu told governors, “The Supreme Court has capped it for you again, saying, ‘give them their money directly.’ If you wait for my Executive Order, because I have the knife, I have the yam, I will cut it.”
“I’m just being very respectful and understanding with my governors. Otherwise, if you don’t start to implement it, FAAC after FAAC you will see,” President Tinubu reiterated.
He stressed that continued violations would undermine the judiciary and could prompt the federal government to directly release funds to local councils through the Federation Account Allocation Committee.
The president’s remarks follow a landmark Supreme Court decision in July 2024, which declared it unconstitutional for state governments to retain or manage funds intended for local councils and ordered direct payment from the Federation Account as stipulated in Section 162 (5–8) of the Constitution.
Despite the ruling, many states have continued to channel local government funds through joint accounts, a practice the apex court deemed unlawful.
Tinubu urged governors to respect the court’s judgment and warned that further defiance could lead to federal enforcement, stating, “The ultimate goal is our Supreme Court. We have to comply. We have to respect the judgment.”
Nigeria Governors’ Ultra Vires
History has seen Nigeria Governors stripping Local Government Councils of their powers, authorities, and responsibilities. This is achieved through a combination of methods.
The state governments have effectively controlled LG funds by directing federal allocations into a joint account, giving them an opportunity to deduct funds or delay releases, leaving LGs with little money for developments.
Governors have dissolved democratically elected councils, replacing them with caretaker committees, as loyalists control the LGs without public mandate.
Through State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), Nigerian governors have manipulated local governments’ elections, conducting sham franchises, with their preferred candidates in power to maintain control.
Governors also exploited constitutional provisions, particularly Section 162(6), to siphon funds, circumventing the spirit of local government autonomy.