Top government officials will convene in Abuja today to discuss the implementation of the apex court’s decision.
POLITICS NIGERIA learnt that the meeting, scheduled to take place at the Federal Accounts and Allocation Committee (FAAC), will be attended by Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and other FAAC officials.
According to an aide to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, the Supreme Court’s verdict was unambiguous, leaving no room for misinterpretation.
When asked if the parties involved had been notified, the aide explained that communication was unnecessary since the federal and state executives were already aware of the judgment through their attorney-general.
The aide said the Federal Government has acknowledged the court’s decision, and relevant agencies are now responsible for implementing the verdict. These agencies include the Ministry of Finance, the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), FAAC representatives, and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF).
Meanwhile, in response to the Supreme Court’s judgment, several states have announced plans to conduct local government elections. The states that have set timetables for polls include Katsina, Osun, Enugu, Sokoto, Abia, Anambra, Benue, Jigawa, Ondo, Kebbi, and Imo.
The Supreme Court’s judgment, delivered on July 11, 2024, declared it unconstitutional for state governors to withhold funds meant for local government administrations.
The court also barred governors from dissolving democratically elected local government councils, stating that doing so would breach the 1999 Constitution. The judgment emphasized that only democratically elected local government administrations, not caretaker committees, are entitled to manage their funds.
