President Bola Ahmed Tinubu faces criticism for the Federal Government’s delay in implementing the Supreme Court’s ruling on direct allocation to local government accounts. Despite the court’s directive in July, the government has not commenced direct payments to the 774 local government councils in Nigeria.
OBSERVERSTIMES. recalled that the Supreme Court mandated that monthly allocations be paid directly into local government accounts. However, allocations continue to be channeled through joint state-local government accounts by the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee.
The delay is reportedly due to the lack of approval from President Tinubu for full local government financial autonomy. Akeem Ambali, National President of the National Union of Local Government Employees, stated that an inter-ministerial committee was established to facilitate the Supreme Court’s judgment. Chaired by Senator George Akume, the committee has submitted its technical report to the President, but implementation has yet to begin.
Ambali expressed anticipation for the President’s approval, highlighting the urgency of the situation. In contrast, Mr. Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, indicated that efforts toward direct disbursement are ongoing, though he did not provide a timeline for implementation.
Previously, the Federal Government cited operational challenges as a reason for the delay, establishing a three-month period to address these issues. This period concluded in October, yet the necessary adjustments for direct allocations have not been made, leading to further frustration and calls for action.
Criticized Over Delay in Implementing Supreme Court Ruling on Local Government Allocations.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu faces criticism for the Federal Government’s delay in implementing the Supreme Court’s ruling on direct allocation to local government accounts. Despite the court’s directive in July, the government has not commenced direct payments to the 774 local government councils in Nigeria.
The Supreme Court mandated that monthly allocations be paid directly into local government accounts. However, allocations continue to be channeled through joint state-local government accounts by the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee.
The delay is reportedly due to the lack of approval from President Tinubu for full local government financial autonomy. Akeem Ambali, National President of the National Union of Local Government Employees, stated that an inter-ministerial committee was established to facilitate the Supreme Court’s judgment. Chaired by Senator George Akume, the committee has submitted its technical report to the President, but implementation has yet to begin.
Ambali expressed anticipation for the President’s approval, highlighting the urgency of the situation. In contrast, Mr. Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, indicated that efforts toward direct disbursement are ongoing, though he did not provide a timeline for implementation.
Previously, the Federal Government cited operational challenges as a reason for the delay, establishing a three-month period to address these issues. This period concluded in October, yet the necessary adjustments for direct allocations have not been made, leading to further frustration and calls for action.
