The Senate was thrown into an unexpected emergency session on Wednesday while discussing the enforceability of financial autonomy granted to the 774 Local Government Councils by the Supreme Court in August.
The drama began when Senator Tony Nwoye (LP, Anambra North) introduced a motion at the start of plenary, citing Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Rules.
He alleged that some state governments were attempting to undermine the Supreme Court’s ruling by enacting counter-laws through their state Houses of Assembly.
Nwoye, who was joined by nine co-sponsoring senators, claimed that certain governors were advocating for laws that would require local councils to deposit funds into a State/Local Government Joint Account, a practice the Supreme Court had deemed unconstitutional.
Following Nwoye’s presentation, which included six requests for enforcing the judgement and was seconded by Senator Osita Izunaso (APC, Imo West), Senator Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi Central) raised a constitutional point of order, calling for an end to the debate.
He referenced Section 287 of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates that Supreme Court judgments be enforceable nationwide, asserting that further discussion on the matter was unnecessary.
“Supreme Court judgments are enforceable across the country. There is no need for us to be debating anything that has to do with it here,” Aliero stated.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio echoed Aliero’s sentiment, emphasizing Section 162, subsection 6 of the 1999 Constitution, which establishes the State/Local Government Joint Account. He suggested that constitutional amendments would be necessary to fully implement the Supreme Court ruling.
“I think what we need to do is to carry out the required amendments to certain provisions of the Constitution as far as local government autonomy is concerned,” Akpabio said.
Before a final decision could be reached on the motion, Nwoye invoked Order 42 of the Senate Standing Rules for a personal explanation.
At the same time, Senator Abdulrahman Summaila Kawu (NNPP, Kano South) raised a similar point of order, leading to confusion as multiple senators rushed to consult the Senate President.
This turmoil ultimately resulted in the Senate entering an emergency closed-door session at 12:46 PM.
