The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has lauded the Supreme Court’s landmark judgement granting autonomy to local governments, calling it a significant milestone for grassroots development, good governance, and democratic decentralization in Nigeria.
Dr. Matawalle expressed his support for the ruling, delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, which allows the 774 local government councils in Nigeria to independently manage their own funds. He praised the seven-justice panel of the apex court for their decision.
“The verdict will enable Local Governments to make decisions and take actions without needing approval from State Governments,” Matawalle stated. He noted that local governments can now manage their finances, collect revenues, and allocate resources without state government interference. “This will boost their independence and direct accountability to the electorates. They can now focus on delivering services and development projects that will lead to better governance and accountability.”
The Minister emphasized that this decision would significantly enhance grassroots development. Local governments can now prioritize projects and programs that directly benefit their communities, thereby promoting grassroots development and addressing local security challenges.
“This will also reduce political interference and urbanization. State governments can no longer influence local government decisions, promoting local autonomy,” he added.
Dr. Matawalle also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the enabling environment that facilitated this historic judgement. He highlighted that this empowerment of local government leaders would make them more responsible and accountable in managing their territories.
“This will also improve service delivery. Local governments can now focus on delivering essential services like healthcare, education, sanitation, and infrastructural development to the people without interference from State Governments,” the Minister concluded
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