A socio-political umbrella group of Youths in the South- east Region of Nigeria, the South East Youth Leaders COSEYL, has described the Judgement of the Supreme Court Of Nigeria affirming the financial independence of Local Councils as a huge step towards deepening democracy in the Country.
This is even as it called on the State Independent Electoral Commissions SIEC, particularly where there are no Elected Council Officials to commence immediate steps towards conducting credible Local Government polls.
The Source reports that the Country’s apex Court had, on Thursday, July 11, 2024, in a landmark ruling, ordered that Local Council funds, henceforth, be channelled directly to Councils’ Accounts.
It declared as illegal, the operation of Joint Accounts Allocation Committee, JAAC, hitherto being operated between the States and Local Councils.
Similarly, the Supreme Court also declared as unconstitutional, the use of unelected officials to run the affairs of the Third Tier of Government.
Before now, many State Governors had been using Transitional Officials to run the affairs of the Local Councils. The development gave the Governors unfettered access to the funds of the Councils.
The Supreme Court verdict which has continued to receive applause from not a few quarters, also, restrained the Federal Government from further remitting monthly Federal allocations to councils whose officials are not democratically elected.
The Federal Republic of Nigeria Constitution of 1999, as amended, provides for a three-year tenure for elected Local Council Officials .
In a statement issued by its President General, Goodluck Ibem, COSEYL also urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC. and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ICPC to closely monitor all allocations to the Councils to avoid diversion..
“To ensure that allocated funds are used to serve the interests of the grassroots, all the relevant anti graft agencies need to follow closely activities at the local councils”, it said.
The COSEYL called on Local Government Officials now, and in the future, not to allow themselves to be cajoled, and/or intimidated by State Governors into handing over Councils funds to them.
“The Council Chairmen should not allow themselves to be intimidated and/or cajoled by the Governors into handing over the people’s money to them. The Chairmen should understand that they are only accountable to the people, the Coalition said.
The Southeast Youths Coalition in its statement insisted that the Supreme Court ruling which restored the financial independence of Local Councils will help in taking governance to the grassroots level.
“By this Judgment, the Supreme Court has returned governance back to the people in line with the vision of the 1999 constitution”, COSEYL noted.
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