By Michael Oche
The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has decried the delay in implementation of the Supreme Court judgment on Local Government autonomy, after over 13-months of the landmark ruling.
The Supreme Court on July 11, 2024 delivered a landmark ruling affirming the financial and administrative autonomy of local government, declaring it unconstitutional for state governors to withhold funds, dissolve councils, or appoint caretaker committees.
NULGE however, on Wednesday appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently save the nation’s democracy by ensuring full implementation of the Supreme Court judgment.
The union, rising from its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, warned that the continued delay in implementing the judgment undermines democratic principles and deprives grassroots communities of the numerous benefits that come with full autonomy for the third tier of government.
NULGE President, Comrade Aliyu Haruna Kankara, who read the communiqué at the end of the meeting, said an autonomous local government system would enhance service delivery, accountability, and participatory governance—thereby addressing the pressing needs of Nigerians at the community level.
“The NEC-in-Session has appealed to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the implementation of the Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria as delivered by the Supreme Court judgment over a year ago.
“This undue delay undermines the principles of democracy and denies the people at the grassroots numerous inherent benefits associated with autonomy of local government administration. It is expected that a democratic and people-oriented government should abide by the tenets of democracy and respect the rule of law.”
The NEC further urged President Tinubu to prioritize implementation of the landmark judgment as a demonstration of his administration’s commitment to justice, equity, and grassroots development.
On the demolition of NULGE’s national secretariat under construction at Lugbe, Abuja, Comrade Kankara lamented that the action has disrupted the union’s legitimate efforts to provide befitting administrative infrastructure for effective service to members nationwide.
According to him, no official reason has been given for the demolition, even as the FCT Development Control denied involvement in the exercise. He alleged that the operation was supervised by military personnel
“NEC-in-Session expresses deep concern and outright dismay over the recent demolition of the NULGE National Secretariat building under construction at Lugbe, Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The action has disrupted the legitimate efforts of the Union to provide befitting administrative infrastructure for effective service to its members nationwide.
“NEC hereby calls on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to immediately intervene and ensure redress on this matter. NEC also calls on the Chief of Defence Staff to investigate the involvement of military personnel in the demolition exercise.”
On the political crisis in Osun State, the NEC condemned the seizure of local government allocations, describing it as a grave violation that has crippled grassroots governance, distorted development plans, and worsened livelihoods in the state.
It called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene and restore the seized funds in the interest of peace, justice, and sustainable development.
The communiqué also decried the delayed implementation of the new minimum wage in several states, saying the failure is unfair to local government workers who are vital to grassroots development, especially in these difficult economic times.
Similarly, the NEC accused some appointees of the Anambra State Government of meddling in the internal affairs of the union by recognizing individuals who are not legitimate members.
