Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of deliberately ignoring a court ruling on local government autonomy, alleging that the move was politically motivated and aimed at drawing state governors into the ruling party.
In a strongly worded statement, Atiku claimed that the failure to fully implement judicial decisions granting financial and administrative independence to local governments undermines the rule of law and weakens grassroots governance. He argued that local councils remain financially constrained because state governments continue to exercise control over funds meant for them, despite clear legal pronouncements intended to end such practices.
According to Atiku, the alleged disregard for the court judgment is part of a broader political strategy designed to maintain influence over governors by preserving a system where state executives control local government resources. He contended that this arrangement makes governors more susceptible to political pressure and alignment, particularly ahead of major national political developments.
The former vice president emphasized that local government autonomy is critical to democratic development, service delivery, and accountability at the grassroots level. He noted that when councils are denied independence, communities suffer from poor infrastructure, weak healthcare systems, and limited access to basic social services.
Atiku further warned that selective obedience to court rulings sets a dangerous precedent, stressing that democracy cannot thrive where judicial decisions are treated as optional. He called on the federal government to respect the constitution and uphold the principles of separation of powers by ensuring full compliance with court judgments.
He also urged civil society organizations, traditional institutions, and Nigerians at large to speak out against what he described as an erosion of democratic norms. According to him, safeguarding local government autonomy is not just a political issue but a national imperative that affects governance, development, and citizen participation.
The accusation has intensified political debate, with supporters of Atiku echoing concerns about the state of local governance, while others argue that reforms require collaboration between federal and state authorities. The federal government has yet to issue a detailed response to the allegations.
The issue of local government autonomy remains a contentious topic in Nigeria’s political discourse, as stakeholders continue to debate the best approach to ensuring effective governance, transparency, and development at the grassroots level.