FG Forms 10-Member Committee to Enforce Supreme Court Ruling on Local Government Autonomy

In a move to implement the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on local government autonomy, the Federal Government has inaugurated a 10-member inter-ministerial committee. The committee, aimed at enforcing the July 11, 2024, judgment granting financial independence to local governments across Nigeria, was formally launched on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, in Abuja.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, FNIM, CON, who is set to chair the committee, was represented at the event by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun. The establishment of this committee underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that local governments function independently, free from state government interference.

The committee is composed of the following high-ranking officials:

Senator George Akume – Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Committee Chair.

Wale Edun – Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice – Member.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning – Member.

Accountant General of the Federation – Member.

Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) – Member.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance – Member.

Chairman, Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission – Member.

Representative of State Governors – Member.

Representative of Local Governments – Member.

According to a statement released by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information & Public Relations in the Office of the SGF, the committee’s primary objective is to ensure the proper enforcement of the constitutional provisions that recognize local governments as the third tier of government. This move aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing efforts to uphold the rule of law and enhance the effectiveness of local governance in Nigeria.