The forum of former Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, chairmen has commended the appeal court judgement for upholding the autonomy of local governments in Nigeria and monitoring of the management of local government funds by state governments.
This commendation came yesterday from the former Abia State ALGON Chairman, Hon. Ibe Michael Nwoke, describing the ruling as a “ray of hope” “for local government administration in the country and grassroots development without undue interference by state governors”.
Hon. Nwoke who spoke on behalf of the chairmen shortly after the ruling by the appeal court, noted that the forum members who remain stakeholders in the affairs of local governments operations across Nigeria, are elated that democracy and its dividends would be felt at the grassroots level.
According, to him “the judgement today raises hope for local government administration in Nigeria and ensures that funds for local governments would not be tampered with. We are really excited at the appeal court judgement and we hope that state governors would do the needful by obeying the courts and also conduct local government elections in their various states.
Hon. Nwoke (Abu Dhabi), who was a former Executive Chairman of Obingwa LGA, used the occasion to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ensuring that the right thing is done and expressed his belief that with him at the helm of affairs in Nigeria, local government administration in Nigeria would experience a serious boost.
The 36 states and the Nigeria Governors Forum had challenged the legality of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, guidelines which came into effect on June 1, 2019 that requires state governments to use specific accounts for receiving and transferring funds to local governments.
The guidelines were aimed at reducing vulnerabilities created by cash withdrawals from local government funds by governors, but the governors had approached the court describing the guidelines as unlawful and unconstitutional.
The courts decision which is final, is expected expected to be binding and to be complied with by state governors.
