Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to stop what he described as delays and immediately enforce the Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local government councils.
The Supreme Court, in July 2024, ruled in favour of local government financial independence in a case filed by the Federal Government.
In a unanimous decision, the court declared it unconstitutional for state governments to control or retain funds meant for local councils and faulted the use of caretaker committees, saying it undermines the autonomy guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution.
Speaking at the All Progressives Congress National Executive Committee meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja at the weekend, President Tinubu had called on governors to comply with the ruling.
He also warned that he could issue an Executive Order to ensure direct allocation of funds to local governments if the verdict was not honoured.
Reacting to the President’s comments, Atiku accused Tinubu of politicising a clear judicial decision rather than enforcing it.
In a statement shared on social media, the former vice president said there was no justification for threats or ultimatums, insisting that the ruling should already be in force.
According to Atiku, the President only needs to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to enforce the judgment without delay, adding that failure to do so amounts to a dereliction of constitutional responsibility.
He further alleged that the delay in implementing the ruling was a calculated attempt to use compliance with the law as leverage to pressure opposition governors into joining the ruling APC, while also tightening control over governors within the party.
Atiku warned that continued inaction would erode constitutional governance and undermine public confidence in leadership, stressing that Supreme Court judgments are final and must be obeyed.
He concluded that Nigerians would ultimately judge leaders who place political advantage above constitutional duty and economic justice.
