The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in a significant suit filed by the Federal Government against the 36 State Governors of Nigeria. The suit, seeking autonomy for local governments, aims to prevent state governors from appointing caretaker committees and withholding funds from local governments not headed by elected officials.
The Federal Government wants the Supreme Court to rule that local governments should receive funds directly from the Federation Account and not through state governments. The seven-man panel of the apex court led by Justice Garba Lawal will communicate the judgment once ready.
Despite opposition from all 36 states, the Attorney-General of the Federation urged the court to grant the reliefs sought. The Federal Government accuses state governors of gross misconduct and abuse of power, seeking to prevent the arbitrary dissolution of democratically elected local government leaders.
The AGF invoked various sections of the Constitution to support the argument for local government autonomy and democratic governance at the grassroots level in Nigeria.