The Peoples Democratic Party described the Supreme Court ruling granting autonomy to local governments as a potential recipe for trouble.
A month after the ruling, PDP national spokesman Debo Ologunagba told a world press conference in Abuja on Sunday that the matter was still pending.
On July 11, the Supreme Court ruled that governors of the 36 states no longer have control over funds allocated to Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas (LGs).
The ruling, delivered by Judge Emmanuel Agim, confirmed that these local governments must manage their own resources, strengthening their financial independence.
The court also found that state governments did not have the power to appoint interim committees for local councils and recognized only democratically elected local governments.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, vice-chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, had warned that the public would bear the consequences of the ruling.
“The law is the law and if there is a conflict, we should go to court.
“But it is our duty to find our own solutions that ensure transparency and ensure that our population does not suffer. Because when two elephants fight, the grass suffers,” he said.
Ologunagba said the PDP was currently reviewing the ruling and stressed the importance of resolving problems of this magnitude through dialogue rather than through the courts.
He explained: “The concern is quite clear, and local governments are connected to the state because they are closer to it. As a party, we are looking at these Supreme Court positions with concern. And I will say this: the fact that the federal government is trying to create another corrupt or deviant bureaucracy in control of local governments is, in our view, another recipe for trouble.
“It would be close to being manipulated by the federal government. We believe that local government reforms, if they need to be done, should be done in collaboration with the governors and not by order of the federal government.
“I have no problems with the court which in its wisdom handled things in a certain way. But of course, I believe that this will not be the end of the matter as we speak because the people who are responsible for local government are the governors. The federal government does not see the people of my village; it is the governors.
“So if there is any concern, then it should be done in cooperation with the local government so that the benefits go to the people, and not through any decree. The law is not trying the impossible. If it does, it will fall on the spot. I don’t think we have seen the end of this development in terms of local government administration.”
The PDP spokesman pointed out that if problems arise within a local government, the chairman will approach the state governors and not the federal government.
Ologunagba added that governors played a crucial role in managing local governments.
He explained: “The state government has the responsibility. When there is a problem in local government, they do not go to the federal government, they go to the state government. So it must be clear that the state government has a duty and responsibility and that one can work to ensure the efficiency of that state government by having joint accounts between the governors and the local government concerns.
“Again, these are current issues. As a party, we will have more discussions. We will talk more to our governors and find out more. I believe that ultimately, governors play an important role in the administration of local government because it is right in their lap.
“I said, and I mean this with all due responsibility, I don’t think we’ve seen the end of this. If the LGA withdraws from ALGON, there will be repercussions. That shouldn’t be the intention. We want better management rights; then we need to have a conversation.”
