The 36 State Governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) are converging in Abuja to deliberate on key national issues including Local Government autonomy.
NGF Chairman, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State will chair the meeting.
The Supreme Court had on Thursday, 11th July, 2024 declared that it is unconstitutional for state governors to hold onto funds meant for local government administrations.
It also barred the state governors from dissolving democratically elected Local Government Councils.
In a landmark judgment, the apex court averred that doing so would amount to a breach of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
In the lead judgment by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the Supreme Court said that the State Governments’ refusal of financial autonomy for Local Governments has gone on for over two decades.
Justice Agim maintained that Local Governments have since stopped receiving the money meant for them from the State Governors who act in their stead.
While noting that the 774 Local Government Councils should manage their funds themselves, Justice Agim ruled that only democratically elected Local Government administrations are entitled to these funds and not caretaker committees.
Other issues to be deliberated on include an update on the United Nations General Assembly and State Contribution and Shareholder Rights in Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).
Also invited to make presentations are: Minister of Health and Social Welfare; World Bank Country Office.
Some of the Governors who had arrived at the meeting’s venue when filing this report include Alex Otti of Abia State; Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State; and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.
Others are Charles Soludo of Anambra State; Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State; Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State; Diri Douye of Bayelsa State; Hope Uzodinma of Imo State; Bassey Otu of Cross River State; Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State; Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State; Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State: Hyacinth Alia of Benue State; and Nasir Idris of Kebbi State.
Tribune
