Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Kwara Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, expressed satisfaction on Friday with the Supreme Court’s decision granting fiscal autonomy to local government areas.
Speaking to State House correspondents ahead of a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Governor Abdulrahman remarked that the judgment relieves governors of burdens and signifies a welcomed devolution of powers to the third tier of government.
He further explained, “We welcome the Supreme Court ruling; compliance is assured, and our Attorney Generals have applied for the enrollment order, which we will carefully study.”
“ Governors are pleased with the autonomy granted to local governments as it eases our responsibilities. Our citizens may not fully understand the financial support states provide to bail out local governments.”
Governor AbdulRahman disclosed that the NGF has formally requested enrollment of the judgment and will convene next Wednesday to deliberate and formulate a collective response.
Regarding Kwara State’s stance, he assured, “The judgment will not adversely affect us since we have consistently respected local government funds. Local governments must now manage their affairs, especially with upcoming challenges like the minimum wage, to ensure salaries and other obligations are met.”
Accompanied by his Imo State counterpart, Hope Uzodimma, Governor AbdulRahman added that their meeting with the President covered diverse issues including minimum wage negotiations with labour, the Supreme Court ruling, and other national concerns affecting states.
