Mr. Oluwatobi Fatoki, former Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ibadan branch, has stated that the financial autonomy granted to local governments by the Supreme Court will foster healthy competition among them.
In an interview with newsmen on Monday, Fatoki noted that the judgment reflects the long-standing desires of the Nigerian populace.
According to reports, the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that state governors must no longer interfere with the funds allocated to the 774 local government areas. The court also declared the control of these funds by states as unconstitutional.
Fatoki emphasized the importance of fully implementing the judgment.
“If all the money meant for the local governments is directly paid to them without any undue interference from the states, it’s a step in the right direction,” he said. “It will bring democracy closer to the masses, while unnecessary spending of money from states on things statutorily meant for local governments will end.”
He highlighted that this autonomy would create a competitive environment among local governments, promoting transparency and accountability.
“There will now be a healthy competition among the local governments, as they will be working for all to see,” Fatoki explained. “It will also bring rapid development and enable the masses to hold their local government chairmen accountable.”
The legal practitioner further remarked that this development would deepen the country’s democracy, eliminate the era of caretaker committees, and end the winner-takes-all approach in council elections.
Fatoki also urged local government chairmen to avoid mismanagement of public funds, as the public and media would closely monitor their actions.
“The masses and the media will hold them accountable for any mismanagement,” he added.
