LG Autonomy: S’Court Judgement A Win For Nigerians – Atiku

Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has said the Supreme Court judgement affirming fiscal autonomy to Local Government Councils in the country, is a win for the people of Nigeria.

Atiku in a statement on his X handle said the court’s ruling is a step in the right direction and a major corrective action in greasing the wheels of national development across the country.

“The decision by the Federal Government to consolidate disbursements of local councils’ revenues into the state government accounts was a decision that was borne out of politics of hasty compromise,” he said.

The former vice president stated that he aligned himself with the decision of the Supreme Court that the structure of the Nigerian government is portioned into three layers, and of these, the local governments should be centres of development.

“I also share the belief that fiscal autonomy to the local governments should not be limited to revenues from the Federation Accounts, but indeed, should apply to Internally generated revenue from the respective local government authorities.

“Many of our states, especially those in the ultra-urban areas with high-density economic activities, have become notorious in muscling local councils from generating revenue on items that border on motor parks, outdoor advertising, rents and many more,” Atiku said.

He added that the verdict of the court was in tandem with the core functions of the Supreme Court as an arbitration court between and among governments.