Author: Lawal AbdulSalam Olawale

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed satisfaction with the Supreme Court’s recent ruling, which upholds the constitutional rights of Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Councils (LGCs) to receive their funds directly from the Federation Account.

This landmark judgement, announced on Thursday, July 11, 2024, marks a significant step towards strengthening governance at the grassroots level.

In his statement following the court’s decision, Tinubu noted the historical challenges faced by local government administrations in effectively serving their communities.

He emphasized that the autonomy granted by the Supreme Court would empower local council leaders to better address the needs of Nigerians living in every corner of the country.

Our correspondent reports that the Supreme Court’s ruling mandates the Federal Government to ensure the direct transfer of funds to the accounts of local councils, bypassing state government control to enhance transparency and accountability in the management of public resources at the local level.

Justice Emmanuel Agim, delivering the lead judgement, admonished against the historical practice of state governments withholding funds meant for local councils, thereby hindering their operational capabilities.

The court’s directive underscores the importance of democratic governance and the rule of law in Nigeria’s federal structure.

President Tinubu stressed the imperative for local government leaders to prioritize people-oriented service delivery, focusing on essential amenities such as infrastructure maintenance, community security, and other public goods crucial for grassroots development.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to building a governance framework that prioritizes efficiency and performance, benefiting all Nigerians.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity speaking on behalf of his boss quoted him as stating, “This judgement reaffirms our commitment to restructuring Nigeria’s economy and governance systems, ensuring a fairer society for all citizens.”

Tinubu also commended the efforts of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), for his dedication to advancing the case on behalf of the Federal Government.

He emphasized that protecting the constitutional rights of local governments is pivotal to fostering equitable development and strengthening Nigeria’s democratic fabric.

President Tinubu underscored the significance of the Supreme Court’s decision in advancing Nigeria’s federalism and ensuring that resources are judiciously utilized for the benefit of all Nigerians.

He pledged to continue supporting initiatives aimed at promoting good governance and socio-economic progress across the nation.

Tinubu announced the creation of the ministry on Tuesday, July 9, at the State House, while inaugurating the Renewed Hope livestock Reform Implementation Committee.

No minister has been announced yet for the new ministry.

Present at the Inauguration were the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila amongst cabinet members

The Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission has postponed the local government election in the state indefinitely.

The Chairman of ODIEC, Dr. Joseph Aremo, stated this during a stakeholders’ meeting on Monday in Akure.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that election into the 18 local government areas and 33 local council development areas in the state was earlier rescheduled to to be conducted on July 13.

However, a state High Court in June declared that the 33 LCDAs created by late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu were unconstitutional.

The court held that the law passed by the House of Assembly creating the LCDAs was signed by the late Akeredolu outside the state in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Aremo, however, said that non-compliance of political parties with electoral processes caused the postponement of the conduct of the election.

He said: “The political parties did not submit their nomination forms, nor did they comply with the adjusted timetable from the last meeting.

“As a precursor to the conduct of the election, between June 26 and June 28, political parties were expected to submit the lists of their agents.

“In the last meeting with the leaders of political parties, the commission informed them that the July 13 date set for the election was sacrosanct.

“We also stated that we would not be changing the date.”

Aremo said that if only two parties were prepared for the election, the poll would still have been conducted.

He added: “At the meeting, they all agreed to comply with the guidelines and timetable.

“However, as I speak, not a single party has complied.

“No valid nomination form was submitted.”

The ODSIEC Chairman said that consequently, it was incumbent upon the commission to review the entire process and decide on the next step.

Aremo said that the commission was committed to conducting an acceptable election.

He said: “Our concern is to conduct free and fair elections at the grassroots level that will lead to the emergence of local leadership.

“But we realised that there is non-compliance with the rules and regulations.

“This led us to the decision to postpone the election.

Reacting to the postponement, the state Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Olaoluwa Adesanya, said the decision of the council members not to participate in the election was reached during a meeting of all political parties in the state.

Adesanya said: “We agreed among ourselves that no political party should submit nomination forms because we want to meet with the state governor to discuss with him and understand some happenings in the government.

“We knew that the commission will have nothing to work with without the submission of nomination forms.

“ODIEC is an independent body and in this aspect, it is a matter between the government and the political parties.”

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department has prevented one Shuaibu Yusha’u from committing suicide in Abuja on Monday.

The 24-year-old had climbed a 120-metre mast atop Katampe hill, within the premises of Aso Radio and Television Services.

Yusha’u threatened to jump and kill himself.

The 24-year-old lad from Baga Local Government Area of Borno State said in the attempted suicide note that his action was on behalf of fellow Nigerians to push the Federal Government to reverse fuel subsidy removal.

He explained that the fuel subsidy removal had plunged the country into economic chaos with attendant hardship, particularly amuong the poor and vulnerable in the society.

Yusha’u also asked the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Niger, Kaduna and Borno States over terrorist attacks and rising insecurity.

He equally asked the Federal Government to open the nation’s borders to allow importation of food items to tackle food shortages as well as addressing the issue of out of school children.

However, the acting Director-General of FEMD, Florence Wenegieme, who was at the scene, following a distress call about the incident, persuaded him to rescind his decision.

The visibly emotional Wenegieme counselled and persuaded Yusha’u for about an hour before he abandoned his self-annihilation mission and climbed down.

She advised aggrieved citizens against taking their lives just to draw the government’s attention to their plight, saying: “There are better ways to approach the government with concerns and the responsible authorities would listen.

“Citizens can also approach social workers at FEMD, Social Development Secretariat of the FCT Administration, hospitals and other health centres for counselling.”

Wenegieme called for patience, noting that the Federal Government was taking steps to address insecurity and food security concerns across the country.

She said: “President Bola Tinubu is on top of the situation and rolling out interventions to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal through provision of palliatives and other incentives, as well as taking proactive steps to address insecurity.

“I am, therefore, encouraging aggrieved individuals not to take their lives, but find a way to contribute to providing workable solutions to Nigeria’s problems.”

The acting Director-General promised to write to the Mandate Secretary of SDS to provide counselling services to Yusha’u, who was currently in the custody of the FCT Police Command.