Senate stands with Supreme Court on local government autonomy, says Akpabio

The President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio, says the Senate is fully in support of the Supreme Court judgement on granting of financial autonomy to the 774 Local Governments in Nigeria.

Akpabio said this, shortly after senate resumed from a closed session over a motion sponsored by Sen.Tony Nwoye, (LP-Anambra).

The motion by Nwoye, was on an alleged attempt by some state governments through their Houses of Assemblies to enact laws to circumvent ruling of the supreme court to grant financial autonomy to local governments.

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 adminstration 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 prayers out of the six prayers advanced by Sen.Tony Nwoye in his motion.

Senate consequently urged all state and local governments to fully comply to the recent Supreme Court judgement on disbursement and utilisation of funds accrued to all local governments in Nigeria.

Senate also pledged to ensure alterations to relevant provisions of the constitution to provide full autonomy to local governments in Nigeria.

Akpabio thanked the lawmakers for all their contributions especially Sen. Tony Nwoye, who brought out the motion on attempt to circumvent the ruling of the supreme court.

“I want to assure you that the national assembly will alter any aspect of our constitution and amend any section of our law to ensure full autonomy for local government administration in Nigeria.”