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.”
Politics
2027: Ika Artisans Pledge Five-Position Support for APC After Morka’s Engagement
Members of the Ika South Artisans Association in Delta State have pledged support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidates across five electoral positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The artisans made the declaration on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, during an enlarged engagement with the APC National Publicity Secretary, Barr. Felix Morka, in Agbor, Delta State.
The meeting provided an opportunity for Morka to highlight the economic and infrastructural development efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, while addressing the concerns and empowerment needs of artisans.
SEE ALSO: Shettima Heads to Ebonyi for APC Presidential Campaign Rally
Morka described artisans as indispensable contributors to national development, noting that their skills and services were essential to sectors such as housing, transportation, infrastructure and other areas of everyday life.
Speaking on the economy, he defended the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, explaining that the government inherited significant fiscal challenges, including fuel subsidy payments and pressure on foreign exchange reserves.
He said the reforms had strengthened government revenues and increased the financial capacity of federal, state and local governments to execute development projects.
The APC spokesman also highlighted increased federal allocations to Delta State, saying the improved revenue position could accelerate infrastructure delivery and improve the lives of residents.
He cited major federal projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, alongside ongoing road construction and bridge projects, as evidence of the Federal Government’s infrastructure renewal efforts.
At the state level, Morka commended Governor Oborevwori for prioritising infrastructure development and executing projects aimed at improving connectivity and stimulating economic activities across Delta State.
Addressing the artisans’ concerns, he promised to facilitate their access to government empowerment programmes by identifying relevant federal and state initiatives and connecting the association’s leadership with the heads of agencies responsible for implementing them.
Morka also urged the participants to understand the constitutional responsibilities of elected officials and make informed decisions ahead of the 2027 elections.
He called on them to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, Oborevwori and other APC candidates.
He specifically appealed to women at the gathering to support greater female representation in elective offices, urging them to back the APC candidate for Ika South Constituency, Hon. Cordelia Anyagwu, in her bid for election into the Delta State House of Assembly.
Other APC leaders and stakeholders at the engagement included the Executive Chairman of Ika South Local Government Council, Hon. Engr. Jerry Ehiwarior; Dr. Donald Peterson; Hon. Emmanuel Osazuwa; Hon. Frank Izekor; and Hon. Cosmas Igbenije.
In their response, the artisans declared their readiness to support the APC across the five electoral positions of President, Governor, Senator, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly.
Morka thanked the association’s leadership and members for their participation, assuring them that their concerns and aspirations would receive appropriate attention.
Politics
Peter Obi, Kwankwaso to Hold NDC Town Hall Meeting in Benue Today
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, alongside his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, will visit Benue State on Wednesday for a town hall meeting as part of efforts to promote their vision for a new Nigeria.
The meeting, scheduled for 10:00 a.m on Wednesday, will take place at Mission House, beside Benue Links Park, Wurukum, in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
SEE ALSO: JUST IN: Peter Obi, Kwankwaso Arrive in Calabar
The visit is expected to provide an opportunity for the NDC presidential and vice-presidential candidates to engage residents of the state and communicate their political vision ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Announcing the visit, Obi described Benue as the Food Basket of the Nation and said the delegation was taking its message of a new Nigeria to the state.
“PO IN BENUE.
“We are taking the message of a New Nigeria to the Food Basket of the Nation today,” the announcement read.
The town hall meeting is part of the party’s political engagement activities as Obi and Kwankwaso seek to build support for their joint presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.
Politics
Shettima Arrives Jigawa for APC Presidential Campaign Rally, Tinubu to Inaugurate Four Projects
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Shettima arrived at the Nuhu Muhammad Sanusi International Airport, Dutse, where he was received by Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, alongside governors from other states.
SEE ALSO: Shettima Heads to Ebonyi for APC Presidential Campaign Rally
The Vice President’s arrival was disclosed on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha.
Those present included Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Members of the National Assembly, senior government officials, APC stakeholders and other prominent political figures from across the country were also present to welcome the Vice President.
Before proceeding to the Dutse Township Stadium for the campaign rally, Shettima is expected to accompany President Tinubu to inaugurate four projects in the state.
The projects include the Renewed Hope Technical Services Centre, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Multipurpose Skills Acquisition Centre, Jigawa State’s agricultural mechanisation programme and a dualised road project in Dutse.
The initiatives are aimed at strengthening technical education, promoting skills acquisition, improving agricultural mechanisation and enhancing road infrastructure across the state.





