I’ll Respect S/Court Ruling, Release Funds Directly To LGs – Atiku

The Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Atiku Abubakar has promised to ensure the direct release of funds meant for local governments immediately after assuming office as President in 2027.

Atiku made the commitment in a statement issued on Tuesday by his official spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, who said the former vice president would uphold the rule of law and restore financial autonomy to the third tier of government.

According to Okonkwo, Atiku believes Nigeria should be governed in accordance with the law and that every tier of government should enjoy the constitutional independence guaranteed to it.

The statement cited the July 2024 Supreme Court judgment on local government financial autonomy, which affirmed that funds due to the 774 local government areas should be paid directly to them.

Okonkwo, however, accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of failing to enforce the judgment, alleging that the decision was politically motivated.

“Atiku Abubakar believes that Nigeria should be governed by the rule of law, and as President, he will uphold the rule of law and build a truly federal Nigeria where every tier of government enjoys the constitutional independence it deserves,” Okonkwo said.

He added that Atiku acknowledged the Supreme Court’s July 2024 ruling but alleged that the Tinubu administration had failed to enforce it.

The former vice president’s spokesman further alleged that the administration was reluctant to confront state governors over their control of local government funds.

Okonkwo claimed that the funds were being used as political inducements ahead of the 2027 presidential election, an allegation the statement did not provide evidence to substantiate.

“This is not the Nigeria we should accept,” he said.

According to Okonkwo, Atiku’s proposed administration would ensure that court judgments were respected and that public funds reached the level of government for which they were appropriated.

He quoted Atiku as saying, “My administration will respect court judgments, protect local government autonomy, ensure that public funds reach the people for whom they are meant, and restore true federalism.”

Atiku said direct access to funds would enable local governments to provide better services and accelerate development at the grassroots.

He also linked financial independence for local governments to efforts to reduce poverty and improve security, arguing that stronger local councils would be better positioned to respond to crimes and terrorism within their jurisdictions.

“This move will ensure that development is brought to the grassroots, reduce poverty at the level of government nearest to the people, and guarantee financial independence to the local governments which will increase their capacity to fight crimes and terrorism at that level,” Atiku said.

The former vice president further maintained that Nigeria’s democratic governance should be anchored on respect for the judiciary and the constitutional responsibilities of each tier of government.

“Nigeria must be governed by laws, not by political convenience,” Atiku said.