The Senate held an emergency closed-door session on Wednesday over a motion to enforce financial autonomy for Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Councils, following a Supreme Court ruling. The motion, presented by Sen. Tony Nwoye (LP-Anambra) and backed by nine other lawmakers, expressed concerns over attempts by some state governments to circumvent the court’s judgment.
Nwoye alleged that several state governments, through their Houses of Assembly, were planning to pass laws requiring local governments to remit funds into State/Local Government Joint Accounts, undermining the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy.
Sen. Osita Izunaso (APC-Imo), seconding the motion, emphasized the public’s demand for change in local government administration. He criticized any state legislature’s attempt to pass laws contrary to the Supreme Court’s decision.
Sen. Adamu Aliero (PDP-Kebbi) halted further debate, citing Section 287 of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates the enforcement of Supreme Court judgments across the nation. He insisted there was no need for further debate on the matter.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio highlighted Section 162, Subsection 6 of the constitution, which establishes the State/Local Government Joint Account. He suggested that constitutional amendments may be needed to resolve issues surrounding local government autonomy.
The session ended with senators entering a closed-door meeting to discuss further actions. The Supreme Court’s ruling, delivered in July, confirmed the financial autonomy of local governments and deemed the states’ retention of local government funds unconstitutional.