Experts in public administration in Bauchi and Jigawa have commended the Supreme Court’s verdict upholding the autonomy of local government councils across Nigeria.
Stakeholders, including unionists and civil society activists, shared their reactions to the Court’s judgment in separate interviews on Thursday in Bauchi and Dutse, calling it a pivotal moment for local government reform.
Alhaji Mudi Hassan, former Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Bauchi State, praised the ruling, saying it would demystify local government administration in the country.
“The Supreme Court’s verdict marks an end to the practice of State and LG Joint Accounts, which often involves state governments managing and disbursing funds allocated to LGAs. It is a welcome development and a victory for the masses,” Hassan said. He expressed hope that local councils would rise to the occasion.
Mr. Sukumum Ezekiel, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) activist, explained that the Supreme Court ruling mandates that funds designated for LGAs must be directly paid into their accounts and managed by democratically elected chairmen and councilors.
“This ruling explicitly prohibits the continuation of Transition Committees, Caretaker Committees, or Sole Administrators in the LGAs, thereby emphasizing the need for elected officials to oversee local governance and finances. The judgment strengthens financial autonomy for LGAs by ensuring that they have direct control over their allocated funds. This is expected to enhance transparency and accountability in the management of public funds at the local level,” Ezekiel said.
Similarly, Abubakar Joga, the NULGE Chairman in Jigawa, expressed joy over the development, adding that it would guarantee the independence of the LGAs to function maximally towards improving the well-being of their people.
Joga noted that local councils in Jigawa had already been enjoying financial autonomy, which had transformed their operations. “This development will provide visible improvements at all levels of government,” he said.
According to reports that the Supreme Court, in a landmark judgment, voided the Joint Account of State and LGAs. The court ordered the Accountant General of the Federation to only pay funds into the accounts of LGAs with democratically elected council members, effectively ending the era of Transition Committees, Caretaker Committees, or Sole Administrators in local government councils.
