President Bola Tinubu has issued a stern directive to governors during the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Caucus meeting at the State House Conference Centre, insisting on the immediate and effective implementation of local government autonomy in line with the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling.
“Local government autonomy is and must be effective,” President Tinubu declared. “There is no autonomy without following the mandate of giving them their money directly—that is complying with the Supreme Court.”
The President’s remarks come amid ongoing delays in enforcing the July 2024 Supreme Court judgment, which mandated direct federal allocations to the 774 local governments, prohibiting state governors from withholding or controlling their funds.
Attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, newly defected governors including Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), as well as party stalwarts like former PDP vice presidential candidate Ifeanyi Okowa and ex-Senate Presidents Anyim Pius Anyim and Ken Nnamani, the meeting highlighted party unity and governance priorities.
Sources say Tinubu’s call underscores his administration’s commitment to grassroots development, warning that non-compliance undermines federalism and accountability.
With many states yet to fully align despite over a year since the ruling, analysts view this as a push for APC governors to lead by example ahead of the National Executive Committee meeting tomorrow.
The directive is seen as reinforcing Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aiming to empower local councils for better service delivery and reduce state-level interference.
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