The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have engaged in a heated exchange over the recent Supreme Court judgment granting autonomy to local governments.
On July 11, the Supreme Court ruled that state governors no longer have control over the funds designated for the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Nigeria.
This landmark decision, delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, mandates that LGAs must independently manage their finances and bars state governments from appointing caretaker committees for local councils, recognizing only democratically elected local governments.
In response, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba criticized the ruling, suggesting it could lead to complications.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, Ologunagba stated, “The concern is very clear, and local governments are related to the state because they are closer to it.
We are reviewing the Supreme Court’s positions with concern. The creation of another bureaucracy by the Federal Government could potentially lead to further corruption and manipulation.”
Ologunagba also argued that reforms should involve governors to ensure they benefit the people effectively, saying, “If issues arise within a local government, the chairman will reach out to the state governor, not the Federal Government.
The state government has a duty to address these issues.”
Conversely, APC’s National Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, dismissed the PDP’s concerns as unfounded. He criticized the PDP for delaying its response and accused it of attempting to undermine the Supreme Court’s authority.
Ibrahim stated, “Once the Supreme Court has decided a matter, it is final.
The PDP’s stance is a preposterous afterthought. They seem to oppose anything that empowers the people and are attempting to perpetuate corruption.”
Ibrahim further emphasized the importance of the Supreme Court’s decision, noting that local governments are essential for delivering democratic dividends directly to the people.
He remarked, “The PDP’s resistance to this judgment is a shameful attempt to maintain control over the people. This opposition is not just political; it borders on criminality.”
The clash highlights the deepening divide between Nigeria’s major political parties over the implementation of the Supreme Court’s landmark decision.
