Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State has expressed disagreement with the recent Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy, stating that Kogi State has been operating an autonomous system since 2016. According to Ododo, the state has been directly allocating funds to local governments, setting a standard for best practices nationwide.
Ododo, who spoke at the ruling party APC secretariat in Lokoja , during the All Progressive Congress APC stakeholders meeting argued that the Supreme Court ruling is merely a formality, as the constitution grants states access to local government accounts through joint allocation. He emphasized that Kogi State’s control over local government accounts remains intact, despite the court’s decision.
Furthermore, Governor Ododo announced plans to allocate counselorship positions, with 40% reserved for women and 60% for men. This move has sparked concerns about the state’s commitment to implementing the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy.
The governor’s stance has raised questions about the implications of the Supreme Court’s decision and the potential consequences for local government autonomy in Kogi State.