Hon. Sam Onuigbo, the South East representative on the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to enforcing local government autonomy, describing it as the definitive solution to Nigeria’s grassroots development challenges.
In a statement released following the President’s recent remarks at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Executive Committee and National Caucus meetings, Hon. Onuigbo lauded the administration’s political will to ensure that federal allocations reach the 774 local government councils directly.
“The President’s firm stance is a victory for the Nigerian people,” said Hon. Onuigbo. “By insisting on the full implementation of the July 2024 Supreme Court judgment, President Tinubu is restoring the power of governance to the people. Direct funding is not just a legal requirement; it is a vital necessity for national stability and economic growth.”
Restoring the “Third Tier” of Government Hon. Onuigbo highlighted that the continued control of trillions of naira by state governments—despite the apex court’s ruling—has historically stifled progress. He noted that in the early years of the Fourth Republic, autonomous local governments successfully spearheaded rural roads, markets, and electrification projects.
“We have seen the consequences of a weakened local government system: rising insecurity, youth unemployment, and rural decay. Financial empowerment at the local level will bring governance closer to the people and allow for immediate, community-focused interventions,” Onuigbo added.
Commending Strategic Federal Action The NEDC board member specifically commended the President for:
Legal Leadership: Initiating the landmark suit that led to the Supreme Court’s historic declaration against joint state-local government accounts.
Administrative Oversight: Directing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to open dedicated accounts for councils and establishing a committee to oversee compliance.
Political Courage: Challenging the resistance from various state governors to ensure the Constitution is upheld.
A Call for Citizen Accountability While praising the federal government’s role, Hon. Onuigbo urged Nigerians to transition from being observers to active participants. He called on citizens to demand transparency and hold their local council chairmen and councillors accountable for the utilization of these direct allocations.
“The federal government has played its part. It is now up to the state governments to respect the rule of law and for the citizens to ensure that every kobo delivered to their local government is used for the public good,” Onuigbo concluded.
As Nigeria moves toward a more functional federalism, Hon. Onuigbo expressed confidence that the administration’s reforms including those in the energy and economic sectors are laying the foundation for a resilient and prosperous nation.
