President Bola Tinubu has asked governors to give Local Government Councils their money directly or he may be forced to issue an executive order to enforce direct allocations to local governments if they fail to comply with the Supreme Court ruling affirming financial autonomy for the LGAs.
Tinubu gave the warning during the 15th National Executive Committee meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, on Friday.
While addressing the NEC members, comprising governors, National Working Committee members, and other party leaders, the president said, “The Supreme Court has capped it for you again, saying give them their money directly.
“If you wait for my Executive Order, because I have the knife, I have the yam, I will cut it.”
“I’m just being very respectful and understanding with my governors. Otherwise, if you don’t start to implement it, FAC after FAC, you will see,” he warned, making a cutting gesture with his hand.
The Supreme Court had on July 11,2024 ruled in favour of the Federal Government’s suit seeking to enforce financial independence for local governments.
The court ordered the direct payment of allocations from the Federation Account to local governments, a practice provided for in Section 162(5-8) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) but widely flouted by most state governments through joint accounts.
The seven-member panel of the apex court declared that it was unconstitutional for state governments to retain or manage funds meant for local councils.
“The ultimate goal is our Supreme Court. We have to comply. We have to respect the judgment,” Tinubu added
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