NASS to enforce Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy — Senator Karimi

Senator Sunday Karimi has assured that the National Assembly will move to enact laws to enforce the Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments, in line with the stance of President Bola Tinubu.

Karimi, who chairs the Senate Committee on Services, gave the assurance while addressing constituents during the yuletide break in the Kogi West Senatorial District.

He recalled the Supreme Court judgment delivered on July 25, 2024, which ordered the direct and seamless disbursement of federal allocations to Nigeria’s 774 local government councils.

The senator criticised governors who have continued to flout the ruling, describing their actions as “unconstitutional” and inimical to efforts at “strengthening grassroots democracy.”

He warned that governors who fail to comply could face prosecution and sanctions, stressing that the National Assembly is determined to prioritise enforcement of the judgment.

According to Karimi, the legislature will pass relevant laws to compel strict adherence to fiscal autonomy for the third tier of government.

He quoted the Supreme Court as declaring governors’ control of local government funds unconstitutional and nullifying the use of caretaker committees, which the court ruled illegal.

Karimi explained that the judgment was meant to “strengthen grassroots democracy and governance by ensuring allocations go directly to elected officials without state interference.”

He added that the ruling was also designed to enhance service delivery at the local government level, which he described as critical to national development.

Despite the clarity of the judgment, the senator lamented that some states continue to disregard and disrespect the Supreme Court’s directive.

He recalled that President Tinubu had warned leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that he might issue an executive order should governors persist in defying the ruling.

Karimi said the President had so far exercised restraint, even though he has the constitutional authority to compel compliance.

“The National Assembly will back the President with laws, some retroactively effective, to address non-adherence,” he said.

He accused some governors of “kleptomania and squandermania,” vowing that those found culpable would be prosecuted, forced to refund misappropriated funds, and punished accordingly.

Karimi alleged that trillions of naira meant for Nigerians had been diverted by what he described as “gluttonous governors.”

“There is consensus that this administration released unprecedented funds, yet many citizens feel little impact,” he said.

He cited remarks by the Chief of Defence Staff, who reportedly linked rising insecurity to non-functional local governments that have created ungoverned spaces across the country.

“Some governors and their cabals treat local government funds as their monthly ‘dessert’,” Karimi alleged.

He said such practices have crippled local councils, leaving them unable to deliver basic services to the people.

The senator further claimed that some states divert local government allocations through voucher racketeering schemes after funds have been paid into council accounts.

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