Politics
FG, States Set 3-Month Extension For Direct LG Allocations
The need to avert salary payments and operational viability crisis at the third tier of government, has necessitated a three-month moratorium agreement between the Federal Government and the States on the direct remittance of allocations to the Local Government Areas (LGA).
The implication of this is that the LGAs would wait till October before the implementation of the Supreme Court of Nigeria’s (SCN) ruling on the direct payment into their accounts.
Recall that on July 11, 2024, the SCN gave a landmark judgment affirming the financial autonomy of Nigeria’s 774 LGAs, with the import that governors could no longer receive the funds meant for the third tier of government.
The apex court also directed the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) to be paying the LG allocations directly to their accounts, as it declared the non-remittance of funds by the 36 states unconstitutional.
Under former President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) issued a regulation, effective from June 1, 2019, which banned transactions on State and Local Governments Joint Accounts, The Punch reports.
Hitherto, funds were sent directly to the accounts of the local governments.
ALSO READ: BREAKING: What Tinubu Doesn’t Want Nigerians To Know About Meeting With ‘The Patriots’ – Moghalu
The NFIU also limited cash withdrawals from local governments accounts to a maximum amount of N500,000 per day with penalties for banks that failed to comply.
However, the Nigerian governors under the aegis of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) kicked against this regulation and the NFIU eventually capitulated.
The status quo was maintained until May 2024 when the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), filed suit marked SC/CV/343/2024 at the SCN to strengthen the autonomy of the LGAs as provided for in the constitution.
It sought to prevent state governors from unilaterally dissolving democratically elected local government councils and establishing caretaker committees, actions that violate constitutional provisions.
The AGF argued that the constitution mandates a democratically elected local government system and does not allow alternative governance structures.
The suit also prayed that the funds from the Federation Account be channelled directly to local governments, bypassing the allegedly unlawful joint accounts managed by state governors. The Federal Government also sought an injunction to stop governors and their agents from receiving or spending local government funds without a democratically elected local government system in place. It contended that the governors’ failure to establish such a system constitutes a deliberate subversion of the 1999 Constitution.
The SCN heard parties to the case on June 13, with the state governments, through their respective attorneys-general, opposing the suit.
That was the prelude to the landmark SCN judgment of Thursday, July 11, 2024, which has now affirmed the financial autonomy of Nigeria’s 774 LGAs.
In the unanimous judgment of its seven-member panel, the SCN upheld the suit brought by the federal government to strengthen the independence of local governments in the country.
A member of the panel, Emmanuel Agim, who delivered the court’s lead judgment, held that the LGAs across Nigeria should henceforth receive their allocations directly from the AGF.
He ruled it illegal and unconstitutional for governors to receive and withhold funds allocated to local government areas in their states.
Many Nigerians, including the LG chairmen, hailed the judgment of the SCN, describing it as a step in the right direction to restructure the country.
Although some governors voiced their concerns, the NGF, speaking through the chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said the judgment was a relief from the financial burden to state governments.
AbdulRazaq, speaking to journalists after meeting President Bola Tinubu on July 12, a day after the judgment, said, “The governors are happy with the devolution of power regarding local government autonomy. The public really doesn’t know how much states spend on bailing out local governments.”
Afrobeats star, David Adeleke, better known as Davido, has expressed his interest in the ongoing Edo State governorship election.
BIZTELLERS reports that residents turned out in large numbers on Saturday to vote in the off-cycle gubernatorial election in Edo State.
Davido has been vocal on X, calling out the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over alleged irregularities in the election process.
His concern raised questions as to why he is so interested in the election, considering that he is not from Edo State.
Addressing the questions via his X handle, Davido explained that his late mother, Imade Veronica Adeleke was from Edo State.
He further explained that aside from his late mom being an Edo State indigene, he should be concerned as a Nigerian.
He recalled calling out INEC during the Osun State gubernatorial election when his uncle, the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, was contesting.
The singer wrote, “My mom is from Edo for those wondering why I’m interested in the election … but we as Nigerians should be concerned sha .. @inecnigeria shame on you I know how many times I had to come in here and rant before they got it right in Osun ! It’s really bad. God help us.”
Davido previously endorsed the PDP candidate, Asuen Ighodalo, for the Edo gubernatorial election through his Instagram account.
Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki participated in the ongoing governorship election by casting his vote at polling unit 19, Ward 4, located at Emokpae Primary School in Benin City.
Arriving at the polling station, he was accredited and completed the voting process in under ten minutes.
Following his vote, Obaseki expressed his satisfaction with the election process and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a smooth collation of votes.
Read Also: #EdoDecides2024: Ighodalo, Wife Cast Votes
He also praised the resilience of voters who turned out to exercise their franchise despite the heavy rain.
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo, has voted at his voting centre, Okaigben Ward 1, Unit 3, in Idinrio Primary School, Okaigben, Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Ighodalo arrived at the polling booth at about 10:33am, a few minutes after INEC’s officials arrived.
ALSO READ: #EdoDecides: Suspected Vote Buyers Nabbed In Egor
He, alongside his wife, Ifeyinwa, cast their ballot at Okaigben Ward 1, unit 3, Idinrio Primary School, Okaigben, Ewohimi.
The couple were accredited at about 12.03pm for voting at Okaigben Ward 1, unit 3, Idinrio Primary School, Okaigben, Ewohimi.
The PDP candidate expressed dissatisfaction over the late arrival of voting materials.
He is expected to battle against the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Monday Ekpobholo, for the votes in Edo Central Senatorial District, where both candidates hail from.
The Edo Central Senatorial District comprises of Esan South-East, Igueben and Esan North East, Esan West and Esan Central LGAs.
Speaking after casting his ballot, the governorship candidate expressed displeasure over the slow pace of the process.
“The process has been slow, but thankfully, I’ve finally voted,” he said.
He, however, expresses optimism for victory.
Despite the early morning rain, voters have thronged the various polling units and cast their votes.
Voting has ended at some polling units, and results have been collated.
#Edo Decides2024: Davido Calls For Credible Election
Girls Play Sports Tournament 2024: Southern Finalists Set For Zonal Showdown In Lagos
‘Stop Checking Your Partner’s Phone’ – Yhemolee Urges Couples
‘They Say I Worship The Devil’ – Rema Addresses Craziest Rumor
Gov Obaseki Votes, Praises Voter Turnout Amid Heavy Rainfall
CBN Pulls Back Monetary Policy Document
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
Adeosun: We are investing in infrastructure to grow the private sector
Shell launches Nigeria campaign on energy efficiency
