President Bola Tinubu, yesterday told the 36 governors to hand over local government allocation to the councils in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment.
The President said there would not be an autonomy to councils without funded mandate.
Speaking at the 14th APC National Caucus meeting at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, the President said he had assured the United States and the European Union that Nigeria will establish state Police to tackle insecurity challenges.
The Supreme Court in July last year held that funds for the councils should be paid directly into their coffers rather than into the joint state/local government account, as is currently done.
That verdict has not been obeyed, prompting the President’s call.
He said there can be no genuine autonomy for the councils without direct access to funds.
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President Tinubu said the judgment on autonomy must be implemented in both letter and spirit, adding that councils cannot function effectively without financial independence.
He also advised governors and party leaders to be flexible in their actions and ensure that they get involved in what happens in their various places including the rural communities.
He said: “You must yield and continue to promote, tolerate and be flexible, get involved in whatever is happening in your various states, up to local government level.
“I had a very long discussion with the US and European heads. I was bragging to tell that definitely we will pass a state police to improve security. They asked me if I’m confident, and I say, yes, I have a party to depend on. I have a party that will make it happen.
“And if at this level we fail, God forbid, we will not fail. I think the reconciliation, the accommodation, the flexibility, is in your hand, all of you, and we are the majority. We are the leaders.
Emphasising the importance of the apex court judgment, he said: “Let us equally look at the recent Supreme Court judgment. What can we do with it? And how well we can position our country and our party.
“To me, the local government autonomy, it is and must be effective. There is no autonomy without without funded mandate, we will give them their money directly. That’s the truth. That’s compliance of the Supreme Court. Take leadership seriously.”
The President commiserated with the government of Bayelsa State on the death of the deputy governor and prayed that his soul rest in peace.
He also called for the inclusion of more women in the caucus and asked that provision should be made towards that.