The National President of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have expressed profound satisfaction with the recent Supreme Court decision granting autonomy to local governments across Nigeria.
They described it as a pivotal moment for local development, Ambali emphasized that the ruling marks the realisation of a longstanding aspiration.
NULGE National President Hakeem Ambali commended President Bola Tinubu, stressing that effective governance at the local level is indispensable for Nigeria’s overall progress. He remarked, “We are entering a new era of progress. Mr President’s dedication to fixing Nigeria starts with empowering local governments because their stability is essential to national stability.”
Acknowledging the role played by the Supreme Court in upholding the rule of law, Ambali pledged NULGE’s readiness to collaborate with anti-corruption agencies and the media to ensure transparent financial practices within local administrations. He urged the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) to publish monthly allocations to local governments, enhancing public oversight and accountability.
“We thank Mr President and the Supreme Court of Nigeria which demonstrated determination to uphold the rule of law and the tenets of our democracy.
“We are prepared to partner with all the anti-corruption agencies and we want to tell the political leaders and technocrats in local governments that they should not take this autonomy for granted. We will partner with NFIU, EFCC, ICPC and the media to ensure that we have financial probity, transparency and credibility in local governments.
“We are also calling on the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), henceforth, to publish local government allocation every month so that the masses will be able to hold their political leaders accountable for how they disburse and apply local government funds.
“We hope this will reduce mass poverty in the land. It will also bring about political inclusiveness, it will stem insecurity in the land and lead to the creation of jobs through vocational skills acquisition and empowerment at the local government level. It will also lead to a reduction of infrastructural gaps; rural roads will be opened, food security will be guaranteed, community GDP will be increased which will culminate into the national GDP.” Ambali added.
In response to the verdict, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in a statement by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, praised the Supreme Court’s decision as courageous and transformative. Ajaero highlighted the judgment’s significance in restoring democratic principles and fostering national progress.
“The Supreme Court’s directive to allocate funds directly to local governments and curtail state interference in local governance is a landmark decision,” Ajaero stated. “It is a crucial step towards revitalizing grassroots governance, which has been stifled for too long.”
He further emphasised the importance of ensuring the judgment’s effective implementation, calling for fair local elections and enhanced oversight mechanisms.
“We at the Nigeria Labour Congress wish to commend the Supreme Court of Nigeria for restoring power to the Local Governments.
“Its an epochal pronouncement on Thursday, July 11, 2024, directing that financial allocations be made directly to Local Governments as well as divesting state governments of the power to remove local government executives is both courageous and salubrious.
“The Supreme Court through this landmark judgment has not only restored our democracy but possibly hope in the democracy.
“Not a few believe the stunted national growth or development and the overwhelming surge in crimes and threats to our collective good is directly tied to the seizure and paralysis of local governments by state governments.
“The journey to the Local Governments’ freedom has been a tortuous one.
“For years we had watched with dismay and discontent the remorseless and mindless erosion of the powers of the Local Governments and had embarked on a series of national protests as workers.
“We also note the effort made by the Buhari Administration to prise off the strangle-hold of governors on local governments. We must also mention the commendable role on this matter by the 9th Assembly.
“This statement will not be complete without paying tribute to the Tinubu government for its presence of mind to institute this action at the Supreme Court. We specifically commend the President and the Attorney General of the Federation.
“Judgment has been given but we are now confronted with implementation. We urge that all necessary measures be taken so that this judgment is not sabotaged at the implementation stage.
“This brings us to the conduct of elections at local governments. Elections by SIECS have been anything but fair. The true freedom of local governments, in our view, must also come from those who govern them. Should SIECS be allowed to conduct ‘elections’ or should NEC take over (even as they are over-burdened and are not exactly the best example). Should there be a regulatory agency or commission with oversight over SIECs? We will find the devil in the details through a stakeholder conversation.
“Finally, freedom of local governments will be nothing if those who will take charge, end up behaving badly like their predecessors in power.
“Thus, there is a need for a self-purgation or a national rebirth as laws or court pronouncements alone may not be enough,” NLC said.
ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Senate rejects bill to control, monitor forex market in Nigeria