By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

Member representing the South East on the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission NEDC, Sam Onuigbo, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his firm commitment to the full implementation of local government autonomy, describing it as vital to grassroots development and national stability.

Onuigbo said the President’s recent remarks at the meetings of the All Progressives Congress National Executive Committee and National Caucus showed a clear determination to ensure that funds meant for local governments reach them directly.

His comments come amid reports that state governments have continued to control trillions of naira meant for local councils, despite a Supreme Court judgment in July 2024 which ruled that allocations to the 774 local government councils must be paid directly from the Federation Account.

The apex court had declared it unconstitutional for states to operate joint state local government accounts for the purpose of receiving council funds.

However, investigations have shown that the practice has largely continued.

Onuigbo commended President Tinubu for initiating the legal process that led to the landmark judgment and for backing it up with administrative steps, including the setting up of a committee and directing the Central Bank of Nigeria to open dedicated accounts for local governments.

According to him, the President’s insistence on compliance reflects strong political will and an understanding that development must start from the grassroots.

He blamed the slow implementation of the judgment on resistance from some state governors, noting that certain states still subject local government projects to approval by state authorities.

“The federal government has played its role. What is left is for state governments to respect the Constitution and the ruling of the Supreme Court,” he said.

Onuigbo recalled that local governments were more effective in the early years of the Fourth Republic, when councils could independently execute projects such as rural roads, markets and electrification schemes.

He argued that financially empowered local governments would help address insecurity, youth unemployment and rural underdevelopment by bringing governance closer to the people.

While acknowledging constitutional issues around revenue allocation, Onuigbo expressed confidence that the federal government committee would find lawful ways to enforce the judgment.

He also urged Nigerians to demand accountability at the local level by questioning how funds allocated to their councils are used.

Onuigbo further praised President Tinubu’s wider reform efforts, pointing to improvements in fuel pricing and signs of economic recovery, and expressed optimism that the renewed push for local government autonomy would finally succeed.

He said the President’s actions would be remembered as a major step towards restoring effective governance at the grassroots.