In a landmark decision on Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional for state governors to dissolve democratically elected Local Government (LG) councils in Nigeria. The apex court stated that such actions would breach the 1999 Constitution.
The judgment came in response to a suit filed by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). The Federal Government sought an order to prevent governors from arbitrarily dissolving democratically elected councils, presenting the case on 27 grounds. The 36 state governors, who were defendants in the suit, opposed the AGF’s actions.
The Supreme Court, however, dismissed the governors’ objections, stating that their efforts to oppose the suit were a waste of time. The court also granted financial autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local government councils.
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Justice Emmanuel Agim, delivering the lead judgment, criticized the governors for their longstanding refusal to grant autonomy to local governments.
He emphasized that the local government councils should manage their funds independently.
The Supreme Court directed that allocations for Local Governments from the Federation Account should be paid directly to them, bypassing state government coffers. This decision is aimed at ensuring financial independence and strengthening the governance of local councils across the country.
