Supreme Court’s verdict ‘ll demystify LGs administration – Stakeholders

Experts in public administration in Bauchi and Jigawa have commended the Supreme Court’s verdict upholding the autonomy of the local government councils in the country.

The stakeholders including unionists and civil society activists spoke in seperate interviews while reacting to the Court’s judgment, on Thursday in Bauchi and Dutse.

They said the court’s decision represents a pivotal moment in local goverment reform.

Alhaji Mudi Hassan, an ex-Secretary, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employers (NULGE) in Bauchi State, said the development would demystify local government administration in the country.

He said ensuring political and financial autonomy of the councils would strengthen democratic governance at the grassroots

“The Supreme Court’s verdict marks an end to the practice of State and LG Joint Accounts, which often involves state governments managing and disbursing funds allocated to LGAs.

“It is a welcome development, and a victory for the masses,” he said, and expressed the hope that local councils would be equal to the task.

Also commenting, Mr Sukumum Ezekiel, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) activist, explained that the supreme court ruling mandated funds designated for LGAs must be directly paid into their accounts, to be manage by democratically elected chairmen and councilors.

“This ruling explicitly prohibits the continuation of Transition Committees, Caretaker Committees, or Sole Administrators in the LGAs, thereby emphasising the need for elected officials to oversee local governance and finances.

“The judgment strengthens financial autonomy for LGAs by ensuring that they have direct control over their allocated funds.

“This is expected to enhance transparency and accountability in the management of public fund at the local level,” he said.

Similarly; Abubakar Joga, the NULGE Chairman in Jigawà, expressed joy over the development, adding that it would guarantee indenpence of the LGAs, to function maximally towards improving the wellbeing of their people.

He, however, said that the local councils in Jigawa have been enjoying financial autonomy, adding that the gesture transformed their operations.

According to Joga, the development will provide visible development at all levels of government.

NAN reports that the Supreme Court in a landmark judgment voided the Joint Account of State and LGA’s.

The court ordered the Accountant General of the Federation, to only pay funds into the account of LGA’s with a democratically elected council members.

This bring to an end Transition Committees, Caretaker Committees or Sole Administrators in LGCs. (NAN)(