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CNPP Hails Supreme Court Ruling on Local Government Autonomy, Demands Prosecution of Erring Governors

By
The Source
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Comrade James Ezema

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) warmly commends the Supreme Court of Nigeria for its landmark judgment barring state governors from withholding funds meant for local government administrations. This ruling is a resounding victory for democracy, national development, and the long-suffering people of Nigeria.

A statement signed by the CNPP’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade James Ezema, notes that for far too long, governors have usurped the powers and resources of local governments, stifling grassroots development and perpetuating poverty. This judgment marks a new dawn for local government autonomy and a significant blow to the impunity and recklessness of state governors in the last two decades.

The CNPP sees this ruling as a significant step towards decentralizing power, promoting grassroots development, and enhancing the overall quality of life for Nigerians. We believe that this judgment will go a long way in addressing the issues of poverty, inequality, and social injustice that have plagued our nation for decades.

We urge all stakeholders to respect and implement this judgment, and we demand that governors who violate this ruling be prosecuted after leaving office. It is time to hold our leaders accountable for their actions and ensure that the rule of law is upheld.

The CNPP calls on the Federal Government to ensure the immediate release of funds due to local governments directly to their respective accounts and to monitor their utilization to prevent further abuse. We also urge civil society organizations and the media to join us in holding governors accountable for their actions.

This judgment is a testament to the power of the judiciary in upholding the constitution and protecting the rights of the people. We commend the Supreme Court for its courage and commitment to justice.

The CNPP calls on governors who are yet to conduct local government elections to end the unconstitutional practice of appointing caretaker committees and immediately allow for the conduct of free, fair, and credible local government polls in their states or forfeit the local government allocations until a democratically elected local government system is in place.

Signed,

Comrade James Ezema
Deputy National Publicity Secretary
Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP)

“There Will Be Mayhem In Kano If I Issue Bench Warrant Against Ganduje, I Will Try Them In Absentia” – Kano Judge

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Abdulahi Umar Ganduje

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

As reported by The Source on Wednesday July 10, the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress APC, Dr Abdullahi Umar Gandunje, his wife, and six others, including corporate entities on Thursday July 11, shunned proceedings at a Kano State High Court where they have been charged for corruption charges .

The Kano State Government had, in May 2024, filed corruption  charges against the immediate past Governor of the state ,some members of his family and six others, in a move seen by not a few as “smacking of witch hunt and vendetta.”

The charges were also filed despite an earlier Federal Court ruling which dismissed the matter on the grounds that it borders on issues only the Federal Government and its agencies like the EFCC ,ICPC and the office of the  Attorney General and Miniter of Justice can legally handle.

But rather than appeal the judgement at the Appeallet Court ,the Kano State authorities approached the same Court of equal jurisdiction.

For this, Justice Simon Amobeda of a Federal High Court Kano, on Thursday June 28, in his ruling on  same case chided the Kano State Government, and described its attitude as a flagrant abuse of Court process.

While dismissing the case ,Justice Amobeda ,once again, drew the attention of the Kano State Government to the earlier ruling by the Court.

He wondered why the State Government, instead of approaching the Court of Appeal decided to  bring the issue before a Court of equal jurisdiction..

At the resumed hearing of same matter at a Kano sta3te High Court presided over by Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu, the Court ruled that the  Respondents ( Dr Ganduje and others) will be tried in absentia.

Justice Aliyu said the Respondents, whom she is aware were served Court papers through substituted means, but who refused to appear before the Court, could be tried in absentia.

The Source reports that the trial judge had, on June 5, following the non- appearance of the Respondents at the co3urt ordered that they be served with all relevant Court papers through substituted means.

The applicant’s  lawyers had, earlier, complained about  the difficulties in serving the Respondents personally.

However, Justice Aliyu dismissed a prayer by the applicant’s legal team led by Adeola Adedayo, SAN,  for an issuance of a bench warrant on Dr Ganduje and others for shunning the Court.

According to her, issuing a bench warrant on the Respondents ,could be capitalized upon by some individuals to unsettle the peace in the already charged atmosphere in  Kano.

Edo APC Accuses SSG Of Abuse Office, Asks Him To Resign

By
Ayodele Oni
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Osaridion Ogie - Edo SSG

By Ayodele Oni

The All Progressives Congress (APC), in Edo State, has told Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Osaridion Ogie to resign his appointment.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Chairman of APC in the state, Jarrett Tenebe.

The party stated that “it seriously frowns at the continuation of Mr. Osarodion Ogie as Secretary to the Edo State Government, while at the same time posing as the running mate to the purported governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Asue Ighodalo, in the forthcoming Gubernatorial Election in the state.

“The action of Mr. Ogie is patently unacceptable and an affront to the good people of Edo State. As an unelected public officer, Mr Ogie is given an ultimatum to resign from government forthwith as his continuing stay in office is a clear violation of all known rules of decency and ethics.

“By remaining in office, while posing as running mate in the gubernatorial election, Mr. Ogie is also in violation of the public service rules which prohibit a public servant from using public resources to fund private purpose.

“Mr Ogie is currently earning salary and other official benefits as Secretary to the State Government, even while pursuing a private ambition to become deputy governor.

“He’s using official vehicles and other government logistics to service his electioneering campaign. This is totally unacceptable and a waste of taxpayers’ money.

“This is the very definition of corruption. No unelected public servant should be allowed to do this. It’s patently wrong and a deservice to the state and the long suffering people of Edo State.

“The APC, Edo State therefore issues an ultimatum to Mr. Osarodion Ogie to resign as the Secretary to Edo State Government forthwith, failing which serious civil and criminal actions will be taken against him for dissipating and misusing the lean resources of Edo State, for his private election campaign.”

LG Caretaker Committee: Ondo Gov Aiyedatiwa Is Not Contemptuous Of Any Court Decision – Attorney General

By
Ayodele Oni
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Kayode Ajulo SAN

By Ayodele Oni

The Attorney General of Ondo State, Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, has maintained that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa did not breach any section of the Constitution, or Contemptuous of any Court decision in setting up Caretaker Committees for Local Governments.

Reacting to comments by opposition members and their parties on the issue, the Law officer of the State said that “the appointment of Transition Committees is a lawful exercise of the Governor’s constitutional powers.

“The Committees are intended to ensure seamless transition and continuity of government business in the affected areas.

“The judgment of Hon Justice A.O Adebusuoye on 20th June, 2024, only declared the Local Government Creation Law 2023 unconstitutional, but did not invalidate the executive and administrative powers of the Governor of Ondo State to take steps that will ensure effective and good governance of any part of the State.

“The legality of the LCDAs is currently the subject of ongoing legal proceedings, which are presently under appeal.

“The court has taken notice of this appeal. Therefore, the Governor’s appointment of Transition Committees is not in contempt of the court’s judgment, but rather a prudent action to ensure that the business of government continues uninterrupted in the affected areas.

“I urge the PDP to respect the rule of law and allow the legal process to run its full course, rather than resorting to inflammatory rhetoric.

“The Ondo State Government remains committed to upholding the laws of the land and ensuring good governance for all citizens.”

Why Labour Leaders Met President Tinubu – Ajaero

By
Ayodele Oni
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President Tinubu with Labour Union

By Ayodele Oni

President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has clarified that the leadership of the Labour Union met President Bola Tinubu for discussions and not to negotiate down the new minimum wage.

He told State House Correspondents after the meeting that the status quo on N250,000 as minimum wage still stands.

The Federal Government and Organized private sector had agreed on N62,000, while Labour is insisting on N250,000.

President Bola Tinubu had said he needed time to consult with other stakeholders before sending the bill for the new minimum wage to National Assembly.

Ajaero declared that “Labour Leaders went for discussion, not negotiation.” He said the meeting would continue next week.

After discussing for over an hour, Labour Leaders came out of the meeting with the President and told State House Correspondents that they would go back to the people and return to the Presidential villa.

Trade Union Congress (TUC) President, Festus Osifo, said they discussed, and after explaining their position, the President also made his remarks. He did not disclose details of the discussions of the meeting.

Edo: Four Months To Exit, Governor Obaseki Constitutes 20-Member Transition Committee

By
Ayodele Oni
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Godwin Obaseki
Governor Godwin Obaseki

By Ayodele Oni

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, is preparing for his exit from Government after eight years. He has inaugurated a 20-member Transition Committee to ensure a seamless transfer of power to the next administration.

The Committee, chaired by former Finance Commissioner Joseph Eboigbe, will document the administration’s achievements and policy decisions over the past eight years.

Obaseki stated that the Committee will create a digital data room, chronicling all documents related to government activities, contracts, and policy papers. The team will also compile reports on each area of government intervention, including recommendations for the next administration.

He said, “Today is the 11th of July, 2024 and it will mark exactly four months to the day I will hand over government to the next elected Governor of Edo State.

“As it’s global best practice, I am putting together a transition team that would have the responsibility to document the achievement of this administration in the last eight years.

“The team will look and retrieve all documents and all other materials relating to policy decisions that have been taken by this administration in every area of government and governance over the last seven years and put the same in a structured order in a data room. I believe that most of these materials have almost been digitized.

“You will all put together reports on each area and aspect of government we have intervened in and recommendations for the next administration.

“This document and resources should serve to smoothly transfer power and knowledge from this administration to the next.

“We would have both the physical and digital repository of all the information and decisions taken during the life of this administration as these documents will be relevant both for internal and external consumption and research and possibly policy development.”

The report is slated to be completed before the 30th of October 2024.

“This document will form part of what will be handed over during the transition period on November 11th, 2024”, the Governor stated.

President Tinubu Says Supreme Court Judgement Will Correct LG’s Ineffective Administration In Nigeria 

By
Ayodele Oni
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu - President

By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu said ineffective Local Government administration in Nigeria has been one of the banes of governance.

Reacting to the Supreme Court verdict on Local Government autonomy, Tinubu welcomed the decision which affirmed the spirit, intent, and purpose of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the statutory rights of Local Governments.

According to a statement by Presidential Spokesman, Ajuri Ngalele, the President stated that a fundamental challenge to the nation’s advancement over the years has been ineffective Local Government administration, as governance at the critical cellular level of socio-political configuration is nearly absent.

He emphasized that the onus is now on local council leaders to ensure that the broad spectrum of Nigerians living at that level are satisfied that they are benefitting from people-oriented service delivery.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda is about the people of this country, at all levels, irrespective of faith, tribe, gender, political affiliation, or any other artificial line they say exists between us.

“This country belongs to all of us. By virtue of this judgement, our people – especially the poor – will be able to hold their local leaders to account for their actions and inactions.

“What is sent to local government accounts will be known, and services must now be provided without excuses.

“My administration instituted this suit because of our unwavering belief that our people must have relief and today’s judgement will ensure that it will be only those local officials elected by the people that will control the resources of the people.

“This judgement stands as a resounding affirmation that we can use legitimate means of redress to restructure our country and restructure our economy to make Nigeria a better place to live in and a fairer society for all of our people.”

President Tinubu noted that the provision of some essential amenities and public goods, such as the construction and maintenance of certain roads, streets, street lighting, drains, parks, gardens, open spaces, and other residual responsibilities, including community security, has tottered owing to the emasculation of local governments.

The President affirmed that the decision of the Supreme Court to uphold the constitutional rights and ideals of Local Governments as regards financial autonomy, and other salient principles, is of historic significance and further reinforces the effort to enhance Nigeria’s true federal fabric for the development of the entire nation.

Tinubu commended the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) for his diligence and patriotic effort on this important assignment.

The President pointed out that his administration remains committed to protecting the principles of the charter governing citizens, institutions of government, arms, and tiers of government in furtherance of building an efficient and performance-driven governance system that works for every Nigerian.

Mamman Saleh, Former Minister Of Power, Remanded In Prison Custody Over N33bn Fraud

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Mamman Saleh

By Akinwale Kasali

Slumps within Court premises

Mamman Saleh, former Minister for Power, has been remanded in Kuje Prison by the Federal High Court,  Abuja Division, after he pleaded not guilty to a 12-count money laundering charge against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Justice James Omotosho who presided over the case said that the Taraba State- born former Minister should remain in custody till Friday, when his bail application will be heard.

Saleh, who served in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari is facing trial over his alleged complicity in a N33billion fraud.

He was arrested in 2021, about four months after he was removed from office by former President Buhari.

EFCC, among other things, alleged that he conspired with staff members of the ministry to divert about N22bn that was meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects.

The Anti-graft Agency said its investigations revealed that the suspects used the funds to acquire choice assets, both within and outside the country.

The defendant had, earlier, before he was arraigned on Thursday, slumped within the Court premises.

It took the help of both lawyers and a team of medical personnel from the court, to revive him.

Court Of Appeal Affirms Governor Ododo As Duly Elected Kogi Governor

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State has been affirmed by the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja as the duly elected Governor of Kogi State.

The Court upheld the Kogi Governorship Election Tribunal’s verdict that declared Usman Ododo as winner of the 2023 election in the State.

The Appellate Court delivered the judgment after dismissing the appeal brought before it by the Social Development Party, SDP, Governorship Candidate, Murtala Ajaka, who was unsatisfied by the Tribunal’s verdict.

Delivering judgement on Thursday, the Court of Appeal validated the Tribunal’s stance and dismissed the appeal filed by the SDP and Ajaka through their lead Counsel, Pius Akubo.

SDP and Ajaka had approached the Court describing the Tribunal’s  verdict as a miscarriage of justice in deciding the winner of the November 11, 2023 election.

Kogi held its off-cycle election on November 11, 2023, amid allegations of rigging and vote-buying.

Electoral Umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared Ododo of the All Progressives Congress, APC, the winner of the election.

In the petition, INEC, Ododo and the APC were listed as the 1st, 2nd and  3rd respondents respectively.

SDP and Ajaka asked the Appellate Court to overturn the earlier judgement that upheld the APC and Ododo and declare them the winners of the election.

The appellants also asked the Court of Appeal to set aside the judgement of the Justice Ado Yusuf Birnin Kudu-led panel delivered on May 27, and restore the testimony of their first witness and other documents tendered to prove alleged over voting in the election.

The appellants also argued that Ododo was not qualified to contest the election into the office of Governor of Kogi State and that all votes ascribed and/or allocated to him and the APC should be voided.

“An order granting the reliefs sought by the appellants in the petition and thereupon declaring him (the 1st Appellant) as the duly elected governor of Kogi State”.

Supreme Court Judgment On LGA Autonomy Assault On Constitution, Chaos Looms – Ibori

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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James Ibori

James Ibori, a former governor of Delta state has described the Thursday Supreme Court judgment, which gave financial autonomy to local government as an assault on the Constitution.

The former governor while reacting to the apex court judgment said it’s not too late for the highest court in the country to review its judgment over the issue.

The Source magazine reported that the judgment has caused wide jubilations across the country, among Nigerians who praised the apex court for the decision.

The grassroots will now enjoy development as funds belong to them will now be paid directly to the account solely created by LGAs authority, according to those who spoke on the issue.

Reacting however, on his X handle, the former governor said the judgment is “an erosion of state autonomy”, noting that more powers has now been concentrated in the hands of the federal government which can now interfere with the state affairs as it wishes.

According to him, the judgment has also contravened the Constitution which provides that Nigeria is a federation between the federal and state government, adding that the “Supreme Court has dealt a severe setback on the principle of federalism as defined by section 162(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”

“The section expressly provides thus: ‘Any amount standing to the credit of the Federation Account shall be distributed among the Federal and State Governments and the Local Government Councils in each State on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly.

He said further: “Sections 6 provide further clarity on the subject matter. (6) Each State shall maintain a special account to be called ‘State Joint Local Government Account’ into which shall be paid all allocations to the Local Government Councils of the State from the Federation Account and the Government of the State.

“The court’s ruling on the matter is an assault on true federalism. The federal government has no right to interfere with the administration of Local Governments in under any guise whatsoever. There are only two tiers of government in a federal system of government.

“I’m opposed to fiddling with the allocations to the Joint LG Accounts at the state level but that in itself does not call for this death knell to the clear provisions of section 162 of the constitution. The implications of the ruling are far-reaching and the issues that readily come to mind are:

“1. Constitutional Interpretation: The Supreme Court’s ruling appears to contradict the explicit provisions of Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution. This raises questions about judicial interpretation and whether the court has overstepped its bounds in reinterpreting clear constitutional language.

“2. Balance of Power: The ruling potentially shifts the balance of power between the federal government and states. By allowing federal intervention in local government finances, it arguably centralizes more power at the federal level, contrary to the principles of federalism.

“3. State Autonomy: This decision could be seen as an erosion of state autonomy. States are meant to have significant control over their internal affairs, including the administration of local governments, in a federal system.

“4. Financial Independence: The ruling may impact the financial independence of states and local governments. If the federal government can directly intervene in local government finances, it could potentially use this as a tool for political leverage.

“5. Precedent Setting: This decision could set a precedent for further federal interventions in areas traditionally reserved for state governance, potentially leading to a more centralized system of government over time.

“That Local Governments must be ‘democratically elected ‘ goes without saying. Yes, I agree, that’s the position of the constitution but withholding their allocation is not the way to go. It’s wrong.

“In the coming days, we will begin to fully understand the implications of the Supreme Court decision. An assault on the constitution is not the answer to fiddling with the Joint LG Account. If the ruling is saying Governors cannot temper, touch, or fiddle with the Joint Accounts, that’s fine because they shouldn’t be doing that in the first place.

“But asking the Federal Government to pay Local Government allocations to the account of the Local Government directly will lead to utter chaos and avoidable friction in governance.”

Not a few Nigerians will disagree with the former governor, because the consensus among those who spoke to the magazine eon the issue, is that the decision was a landmark one, long overdue considering the mismanagement of local government funds by state governors.

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