By Erewunmi Peace

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to full local government autonomy, urging state governors to comply with the Supreme Court judgment granting financial independence to local councils.

Speaking on the issue of grassroots governance, the President emphasized that local governments must receive their statutory allocations directly in line with the court’s ruling.

He warned that failure to comply with the directive would not be tolerated, stressing that the autonomy of local governments is critical for effective service delivery at the grassroots level.

The renewed assurance has sparked reactions across the country, with supporters describing it as a major step toward strengthening democratic governance and improving development at the local level.

However, despite the President’s position, reports indicate that the full implementation of direct allocation to local governments is still ongoing. Some stakeholders, including local government unions, have clarified that while the policy direction has been established, practical disbursement processes are yet to be fully operational nationwide.

The Supreme Court had earlier ruled that funds meant for local governments should not be withheld or controlled by state governments, a decision widely regarded as a landmark judgment in Nigeria’s democratic history.

Observers say the success of the policy will depend largely on strict enforcement and cooperation between federal and state authorities.

More updates are expected as the Federal Government continues consultations with relevant stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation.