Human rights activist and lawyer, Prof Mike Ozekhome (SAN) on Thursday, praised the Supreme Court over its judgement that granted financial autonomy to the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the country.
The professor of law in a statement he made available to newsmen shortly after the judgment described the apex court’s decision as salutary, timely and regenerative.
Ozekhome commended the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) for taking the matter before the apex court, and also queried the concentration of too much powers in the hands of the Federal Government.
He said, “I agree totally with the judgement of the supreme court to grant full financial autonomy so that money is released and paid directly to the 774 local government councils which constitute the third-tier of government,to develop their places because the LGAs are grassrooted and nearest to the people. Rather than allow overbearing state governors throw their weight around and muzzle the local governments and seize their purse,they will now allow LGs breath some air of freedom.”
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria decried that Nigeria is running a lopsided federation, lamenting that the FG gets 52.68%, the states get 26.72% while the entire 774 local government councils in the country get 20.60% of the monthly allocation by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RLASMC).
“The question is, what is the federal government doing with almost 53% of the national income?” He queried.
He continued, “The truth is that the federal government is overbloated and overpampered. That is why it is using too much money and make the centre become too attractive, eating deep into funds that ought to be meant for the states and local government areas. The states take not only that which belongs to the states, but also waylays at source that which is meant for the local government areas. No Nation grows that way.
“So, I see this judgment as epochal,having far-reaching effect because money will now be made available directly to the local government areas who will no longer be subservient, like fawning slaves to state governors. In fact, the judgement even went further to say that no state government has the power henceforth to dissolve local government areas.”
The law professor concluded that “The judgement is salutary, timely and regenerative. It should be upheld by all governments and people in Nigeria for better democratic dividends.I see this as victory for our wobbling democracy, even if we are far removed from true fiscal federalism where the federating units control and utilize their God-given resources while paying royalty or tax to the central government. This case is one big plus for tested court room gladiator, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Attorney General of the Federation, who initiated the case at the apex court, invoking its original jurisdiction. Surely, to jaw-jaw is better than to war-war. God bless Nigeria.”
