President Bola Tinubu 



By Chidinma Omar


Abia State APC stalwart, Ugwumba Chika Ishionwu on Saturday applauded President Bola Tinubu and the Supreme Court for the apex court's ruling which granted financial autonomy to the 774 LGAs of the Country


"The Supreme Court ruling on financial autonomy to the LGAs of Nigeria is a significant milestone in our journey towards true federalism, which I am convinced remains the best bet for the development of  our great nation


Ugwumba Chika Ishionwu 


"This verdict not only empowers our LGAs but also reinforces the principles of accountability and transparency", he stated in a press release reviewing the judgement.


Ishionwu, a grassroots mobiliser and facilitator of the pro-good governance movement, For Us By Us FUBU Movement also lauded President Bola Tinubu for initiating the process towards what he described as a landmark verdict.


"By initiating the process towards this landmark verdict, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has once more exhibited his credentials as a democrat, true federalist and lover of the Nigerian masses.


"Significantly, the era of non-accountability in the LGAs is now a thing of the past. It is imperative that we uphold the integrity of our democratic processes to ensure the will of the people is respected and upheld", he declared 


Ishionwu, articulating views in anticipation of LG in the nearest future issued  a stern warning to the Labour Party administration in Abia State, urging the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, ABSIEC  to conduct a transparent, free and fair elections. 


Along similar lines, he urged the people to stand up and defend the unfolding democratic reforms, "The Electoral Act 2022 has laid the foundation for a free and fair elections whether conducted by INEC or SIEC, but we must rise to our civic responsibilities and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria", he affirmed 


Dailyledger.com.ng reports that the Supreme Court in its judgement on Thursday made includes far-reaching decisions that will significantly alter local government administration in the country


The Supreme Court,  affirming  financial autonomy of Nigeria’s LGAs in an  unanimous judgement of its seven-member panel  upheld the suit brought by the Federal Government seeking to strengthen the independence of LG administration  in the country.


A member of the panel, Emmanuel Agim, who delivered the court’s lead judgement, held that the local governments across the country should, from Thursday, receive their allocations directly from the Accountant-General of the Federation, ruling that it is illegal and unconstitutional for governors to receive and withhold funds allocated to local government areas (LGAs) in their States


The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Chief Lateef Fagbemi who filed the  suit marked SC/CV/343/2024 bpn behalf of the Federal Government in his reaction to the judgement, said it's execution and implementation takes immediate effect