Nigerian Governors Given 7-Day Ultimatum to Respond To Tinubu’s LG Autonomy Suit

The Supreme Court has given the 36 state governors in Nigeria a 7-day ultimatum to respond to a suit filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) seeking full autonomy for local government areas.

The AGF, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), filed the suit on behalf of the Federal Government, seeking an end to the arbitrary dissolution of democratically elected local government councils by state governors.

The government is also seeking to stop the governors from maintaining joint accounts with local governments, describing it as unlawful and in violation of the Constitution.

The Supreme Court, led by Justice Garba Lawal, granted the governors a 7-day window to file their defense, while the AGF has two days to reply upon receipt of their response.

The court’s decision is predicated on the urgency of the suit and the non-objection from the Attorneys-General of the states.

The Federal Government is seeking a declaration that the state governors and State Houses of Assembly are obligated to ensure a democratic system at the local government level.

It is also praying for an injunction to prohibit governors from dissolving democratically elected local government councils and receiving funds meant for local governments without a democratically elected system in place.

The suit is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen the local government system and ensure that funds meant for local governments are used for the benefit of the people.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook