AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman, Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum expressed satisfaction with the Supreme Court’s decision granting autonomy to Local Government Areas.
The governor Described the ruling as a relief for governors.
He, alongside Hope Uzodimma, Chairman of the APC Governors Forum, and Dr. Bala Mohammed, Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, made these remarks after meeting President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
AbdulRazaq emphasised the forum’s commitment to complying with the court’s verdict.
Minimum Wage Challenge
Noting that their Attorney General had applied for the necessary enrollment order.
He highlighted the financial strain on states due to bailing out local governments.
And also stressed the importance of local governments managing their affairs independently, especially with upcoming challenges like implementing the minimum wage.
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Regarding Kwara State, AbdulRazaq affirmed that his government had never interfered with local government funds.
underscoring the need for local governments to ensure prompt salary payments and statutory allocations.
The Elections
He mentioned plans for the forum to convene soon to address states where local government elections have not been conducted.
The Supreme Court’s ruling, delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, declared it unconstitutional for governors to withhold funds allocated to Local Government councils.
Asserting that local governments must manage their funds directly.
The court upheld the principle that local governments are entitled to receive and manage their allocations independently.
While emphasizing the need for democratically elected leadership at the local level.
