We are backing Supreme Court ruling on LG autonomy – Akpabio

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has expressed the Senate’s full support for the Supreme Court’s decision to grant financial autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local governments.

Akpabio made this statement following a closed session, which was held after a motion brought forward by Senator Tony Nwoye (LP-Anambra).

Nwoye’s motion highlighted concerns over attempts by certain state governments and their Houses of Assembly to pass legislation undermining the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government financial independence.

Akpabio said: “We stand solidly behind the Supreme Court judgement and pronouncement on the local government autonomy.

“We have looked at the motion and saw that some of the prayers would conflict with the existing provisions within the constitution, and we have jointly agreed on two prayers.

“Because we believe strongly that if there is any legacy that this administration and indeed the 10th Senate and National Assembly will live behind, it is the legacy of sanitising the local government.

“Also by ensuring that the local government funds are fully utilised for the benefits of rural people,”.

Senate, thereafter, approved the two prayers out of the six prayers advanced by Sen.Tony Nwoye in his motion.

Senate consequently urged all state and local governments to fully comply to the recent Supreme Court judgement on the disbursement and utilisation of funds accrued to all local governments in Nigeria.

Senate also pledged to ensure alterations to relevant provisions of the constitution to provide full autonomy to local governments in Nigeria.

Akpabio thanked the lawmakers for all their contributions especially Sen. Tony Nwoye, who brought out the motion on an attempt to circumvent the ruling of the Supreme Court.

“I want to assure you that the national assembly will alter any aspect of our constitution and amend any section of our law to ensure full autonomy for local government administration in Nigeria.”