Senate aligns with Supreme Court on local government autonomy – Akpabio

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said on Wednesday the upper legislative chamber is fully in support of the Supreme Court judgement which granted financial autonomy to the 774 local government areas in the country.

Akpabio stated this shortly after the Senate resumed from a closed session over a motion sponsored by Senator from Anambra State, Tony Nwoye, and nine others.

Nwoye had in the motion alleged an attempt by some state governors through their Houses of Assemblies to enact laws to circumvent the apex court’s ruling on the local councils.

Akpabio said: “We stand solidly behind the Supreme Court judgement and pronouncement on the local government autonomy.

“We have looked at the motion and saw that some of the prayers would conflict with the existing provisions within the constitution, and we have jointly agreed on two prayers.

“Because we believe strongly that if there is any legacy that this administration and indeed the 10th Senate and National Assembly will live behind, it is the legacy of sanitising the local government.

“Also by ensuring that the local government funds are fully utilised for the benefits of rural people.”

Senate, thereafter, approved the two out of the six prayers advanced by Nwoye in his motion.

The Red Chamber consequently urged all state and local councils to fully comply with the Supreme Court judgement on the disbursement and utilisation of funds accrued to all local councils in Nigeria.

Akpabio thanked the lawmakers for their contributions especially Nwoye, who brought out the motion on the attempt to circumvent the ruling of the Supreme Court.

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