In a firm message to state executives, President Bola Tinubu warned that failure to comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government allocations may prompt federal intervention.”
The warning came on Friday during the 15th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja. Tinubu stressed that continued non-compliance with the apex court’s July 11, 2024, judgment, which grants financial autonomy to the 774 local government councils, could force decisive action through the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
“The Supreme Court has capped it for you again, saying, ‘give them their money directly”, the President said. “If you wait for my Executive Order, because I have the knife, I have the yam, I will cut it. I’m just being very respectful and understanding with my governors. Otherwise, if you don’t start to implement it, fact after fact, you will see”.
The Supreme Court had ruled that it is unconstitutional for state governments to retain or manage funds meant for local councils and mandated that allocations from the Federation Account be paid directly to local governments, in line with Section 162 (5–8) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
President Tinubu’s remarks underscored the federal government’s determination to enforce the ruling, emphasizing that further violations could warrant direct intervention to ensure compliance. He called on governors to respect the judiciary and adhere to the law, stressing that the ultimate goal is to safeguard the autonomy and proper functioning of local governments.
During the session, APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda dismissed opposition criticisms as “shallow”, highlighting the party’s continued growth and dominance nationwide. He noted that defections from opposition parties have made the APC stronger, praising the party’s commanding majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives as a testament to effective party leadership and mobilisation.
Yilwatda reaffirmed that the party’s efforts aim to consolidate victory in future elections while ensuring that local governments receive their rightful allocations as mandated by law.
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