The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has thrown the weight of the National Assembly behind the recent judgement Supreme Court judgement on local government financial autonomy.
This followed a motion moved by Senator Tony Nwoye that some state governments, using the state houses of assemblies are allegedly working hard to circumvent the Supreme Court judgement by enacting laws that will enable them to continue control local government funds.
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The heated debate for and against the motion forces the Senate to go into a closed door session for hours.
On resumption from the closed door session, the Senate President said they have looked at the motion closely and amended the prayers into two.
“We have looked at the motion and saw that some of the prayers would conflict with the exiting positions within the constitution.
Akpabio was of the view that a functional local government with full financial autonomy will be the greatest legacy the present Tinubu administration will leave for Nigerians.
“Because we believe strongly that if any legacy that this administration will live behind, it is the legacy of sanitising the local government by ensuring that the local government funds are fully utilised for the benefits of rural people.
The two prayers approved by the senators during the close door session and moved during plenary by Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin (Kano North) are to “Urge all states and local governments to immediately and fully comply with the recent Supreme Court judgement on utilisation of funds accrued to all local governments in Nigeria.
“That the senate ensures alterations to relevant provisions of the constitution to provide full autonomy to local governments in Nigeria”.
By Haruna Salami
