Local Government Autonomy Will Fast-Track Grassroots Development — Onuigbo

A member of the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) representing the South-East, Rt. Hon. Sam Onuigbo, has said President Bola Tinubu’s firm stance on the full implementation of local government autonomy will unlock faster development at the grassroots.

In a statement on Tuesday, Onuigbo described the President’s intervention as timely, bold and critical to strengthening local governance and national stability. He said Tinubu’s recent comments at the National Executive Committee and National Caucus meetings of the All Progressives Congress (APC) clearly showed his commitment to improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

According to Onuigbo, state governors have allegedly withheld more than ₦4.5 trillion meant for local government councils, despite a Supreme Court judgment delivered in July 2024 that ordered direct payment of council allocations from the Federation Account.

The landmark ruling declared the joint state–local government account unconstitutional and barred states from acting as intermediaries for funds meant for councils. Onuigbo praised President Tinubu for initiating the legal process that led to the judgment and for backing it up with decisive administrative action.

“I want to publicly commend Mr President for remaining firm on this issue,” Onuigbo said. “Supreme Court rulings are final and binding, not optional. By insisting that local government funds go directly to councils, the President has shown uncommon political will.”

He stressed that when Tinubu raised the issue at party meetings, he spoke not just as a party leader but as a statesman who understands that national development begins at the grassroots.

Onuigbo argued that delays in implementing local government autonomy are mainly due to resistance from state governors.

“The federal government has done its part legally, administratively and politically. The bottleneck is clearly with the governors. What remains is for states to respect the Constitution and obey the Supreme Court judgment,” he said.

Reflecting on past experience, Onuigbo noted that local governments performed better in the early years of the Fourth Republic, when councils had greater financial independence.

“At that time, chairmen could build rural roads, provide electricity, develop markets and run youth empowerment programmes. When local governments are allowed to function properly, they deliver because they understand their communities,” he said.

He warned that withholding council funds weakens governance at the grassroots and worsens insecurity, youth unemployment and rural neglect.

“When councils are financially empowered, they can address local security issues, engage youths productively and reduce social unrest,” Onuigbo added.

While acknowledging constitutional challenges, particularly those linked to Section 162 on joint accounts, he expressed confidence that the federal government’s committee would find lawful and practical ways to enforce the Supreme Court judgment.

Onuigbo also urged Nigerians to demand transparency and accountability from both local government chairmen and state governors.

“In a democracy, the citizen is the most important office holder. People must ask questions how much came to their local government and how was it spent? That pressure will end impunity and promote accountability,” he said.

He further commended President Tinubu’s broader reform efforts, citing fuel pricing reforms, easing inflation and signs of economic recovery.

With most governors now in the ruling party, Onuigbo expressed optimism that the President’s call would be heeded and that long-standing obstacles to local government autonomy would finally be removed.