The Supreme Court is set to deliver judgment in the case filed by the Federal Government against the 36 state governors regarding local government autonomy. The suit, spearheaded by the Attorney General of the Federation, aims to secure autonomy and direct funding for the 774 local governments in the country. The Federal Government is seeking to withhold funds from local governments being managed by caretakers appointed by governors, instead of elected officials.
Despite opposition from the state governors on jurisdictional grounds, a seven-man panel of Supreme Court Justices presided over the case and is now ready to announce its decision. The AGF is pushing for full autonomy for local governments as the third tier of government, as mandated in the constitution. The suit emphasizes the need for democratically elected local government systems in place, as prescribed by the Constitution of Nigeria.
As the anticipation builds for the Supreme Court’s ruling, the National Union of Local Government Employees has organized a national day of prayer and fasting in hopes of a favorable outcome for local government autonomy.