Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election, says he would ensure that funds meant for LGAs are paid directly to them if he is elected president.
In a statement on Tuesday, Kenneth Okonkwo, Atiku’s
spokesperson, said the former vice-president would uphold the rule of law and
strengthen local government autonomy if elected.
On July 11, 2024, the supreme court ruled that allocations
from the federation account should be paid directly to the 774 local government
councils rather than through state governments.
The judgment followed a suit filed by the federal government
against the 36 state governors over the administration and funding of local
governments.
Despite the court ruling, some states have yet to comply
with the directive.
“My administration will respect court judgments, protect
local government autonomy, ensure that public funds reach the people for whom
they are meant, and restore true federalism,” the statement quoted Atiku as
saying.
He said the move would bring development closer to Nigerians
at the grassroots and reduce poverty.
Atiku also said direct funding would give local governments
greater financial independence and improve their capacity to tackle crime and
terrorism.
The former vice-president accused President Bola Tinubu’s
administration of failing to enforce the court judgment.
He alleged that the decision was influenced by a desire to
not confront All Progressives Congress (APC) state governors who previously
controlled local government funds.
According to him, the funds were being retained as an
“enticement” for governors to support Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
“Atiku acknowledges that the Supreme Court had ruled on July
2024 that local government funds should be paid directly to local governments,”
the statement said.
“Yet, the current administration of President Tinubu has
failed to enforce this judgment, seemingly to avoid confronting the gluttonous
APC State Governors who previously controlled these funds, as an enticement to
them to use the Local Government funds to buy votes for Tinubu in 2027
presidential election.”
In December, Tinubu warned state governors that he may issue
an executive order to enforce direct allocation of funds to LGs if they failed
to comply with the supreme court ruling.
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