Evil men in Tinubu’s govt behind delayed implementation of LG autonomy, NULGE expresses frustration

As the implementation of Local Government autonomy remains a mirage, six months after Supreme judgment,
the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) said, there has been delay tactics caused by evil men in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Earlier, the Supreme Court directed that LG accounts be opened with the Central Bank of Nigeria and since then, its been one challenge or the order until six months had passed.

Speaking on Saturday, after the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC yet again sent Local Government Councils fund to the States, the National President of NULGE, Comrade Hakeem Olatunji Ambali, stated, governors continue to control LG funds despite Supreme Court.

“The Supreme Court judgment stated that all local governments must open accounts with the CBN to receive their allocations directly.

“But months have passed since that pronouncement, and nothing has happened. This shows that the Federal Government has not fulfilled its responsibility in ensuring adherence to this ruling.”

CAPITAL POST recalled that the highest cout in the land affirmed a judgment declaring that, it was an act of illegality for governors to control and expend funds meant for LG.

Reacting to the development, the National Publicity Secretary of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hamisu Anani, revealed that opening accounts in States where the Central Bank of Nigeria doesn’t have office was a serious challenge.

He expressed frustration of the Local Government Councils that some saboteurs in government are cashing on challenges to co tinue to hold on funds belonging to LGs.

According to NULGE chief, funding Local Government Councils directly was one of the major landmark achievements of the administration and was quick to condemn delay in implementation of the Supreme Court judgment.

He said: “So, we call on President Bola Tinubu to act promptly so that these saboteurs do not cause problems for his government.”

“Mr. President must take direct action and remove the stumbling blocks some people are placing in the way to frustrate the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment.”

When asked who NULGE blames for the delay in the account-opening process, Comrade Ambali said, “We place the blame solely on the Federal Government, not the Governors Forum.

“If the Federal Government were serious about implementing this Court judgment, especially the critical aspect of local governments opening accounts with the CBN, that process would have been completed long ago.

“If the implementation of a Supreme Court judgment is being treated in this manner, it shows how the rule of law is being observed in Nigeria. This is the time for the Federal Government to correct this anomaly.”

Regarding the role of ALGON in the issue, he said, “ALGON is actually doing its best to fast-track the process. The Federal Government, however, is where we have an issue in the whole implementation of this judgment.

“Instead of making public statements about local governments not opening accounts, Federal Government officials could have issued a circular to all 774 local governments, urging them to open the accounts as a matter of urgency.

“Instead, they prefer to make public statements. This delay tactic is unnecessary and uncalled for.

“Therefore, our call is for the Federal Government to obey the judgment of its own Supreme Court by fast-tracking the implementation, especially by ensuring that the account-opening processes are completed without further delay.

“President Tinubu should send a directive immediately that the rule of law in this country must be upheld and obeyed.?”