*LG AUNTONOMY; NULGE BERATES SIX-MONTH DELAY*

The National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE on Friday expressed disappointment over the six-month delay in implementing financial autonomy for the 774 local government areas, despite a Supreme Court judgment mandating the direct disbursement of their funds.

Speaking as a guest today on Eagle 102.5 FM’s Current Affair Program, Frontline, NULGE President, Comrade Hakeem Ambali said it is an aberration to stall a Supreme Court ruling, adding that diverting funds meant for LG is at the peril of the governors.

“The Supreme Court is the court of finality. Judgement is not appealable unless it is reviewed by the Supreme Court itself. It is not because it is final in all decisions, but the constitution made them final.

“The President, as a political leader is also looking at the options to solve political problems that is when the bend over came to play. Unfortunately, that created room for manipulation, lobby and a lot of insinuations”

“However, the judgement of the Supreme court is meant to be obeyed. It is a judgment that stands”, He said.

The Union also faulted certain governors-Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State and his Abia State counterpart, Alex Otti- who went back on the previous agreement with Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu on LG financial autonomy, trying to use a subsidiary law to override the existing principal law.

According to Ambali, their actions regardless of their immunity, contravenes Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution (Amended) that guarantees political leadership in the local government.

Reacting to the recent Edo State LG crisis, NUGLE President said it is illegal to tamper with democratically elected Council men, adding that no executive power will override the people’s representation.

He said “What is happening in Edo is ungodly and illegal. Because the Governor wanted to probe what is happening in the local government against the judgement of the supreme court, he decided to say the chairmen should proceed on illegal suspension. Meanwhile, the affirmation of the Attorney General has confirmed that no governor, in fact, no president in Nigeria has power to dissolve, suspend or remove democratically elected state political leadership”

Ambali therefore warned governors against attempts to derail local government autonomy, emphasising that LGA officials would also be held accountable for any lapses.

He also called the recent LG elections across the country where the ruling parties secured all seats as mere promotion, coronation and appointment of the incumbent’s political jobbers, an act he said negates the constitution.

To safeguard the integrity of the allocation process, Ambali explained that a technical committee had submitted key recommendations, including increased transparency and oversight mechanisms.