Thirty-six state governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) have commenced a significant meeting in Abuja, with Local Government Autonomy as the top agenda item.
The governors began arriving for the meeting at 9 p.m. at the National Secretariat of the forum in Maitama, Abuja.
According to the agenda which was sighted, the issue of Local Government Autonomy is coming under Matters Arising and briefing by the Chairman of the forum and Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who will brief the governors on the matter.
Recall that the Supreme Court had on July 11 barred the 36 governors of the federation from further retaining or utilizing funds that are meant for the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the country.
The apex court had ruled that it is illegal and unconstitutional for governors to continue to receive and seize funds allocated to LGAs in their states.
Other parts of the agenda read, “United Nations General Assembly – Update; State Contribution and Shareholder Rights in Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) – Update; Update by NGF Secretariat – Ag. Director General; Presentations: 1. Minister of Health and Social Welfare, 1i. World Bank Country Office; F. Any other Business, A.O.B.; and G. Communique.”
At the moment, Governors of Abia, Kogi, Anambra, Delta, Plateau, Yobe, Imo, Benue, Cross River, Ondo, Zamfara, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Kano, Kwara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kogi, Lagos, Nasarawa, Oyo, and Gombe are at the meeting.
Also in attendance are the deputies of Enugu and Borno States.
The issue of Local Government Autonomy has been a contentious one in Nigeria for many years. Local governments are supposed to be the third tier of government, operating independently of the state and federal governments. However, in practice, state governments have often taken control of funds meant for local governments, leaving them underfunded and unable to effectively carry out their responsibilities.
The recent Supreme Court ruling aims to address this issue by ensuring that funds allocated to local governments are used for their intended purpose. This ruling has significant implications for the governance and development of local areas across Nigeria.
As the meeting progresses, further details and updates are expected. The outcomes of this meeting will be closely watched by stakeholders across Nigeria, including local government officials, civil society organizations, and the general public. The successful implementation of the decisions made during this meeting will be crucial for the advancement of local governance and development in Nigeria.
