By DANJUMA JOSEPH, Lafia –
The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Nasarawa State, has commended the landmark judgment delivered by the Supreme Court granting financial autonomy to the 774 Local Government Councils in the country.
Nasarawa State chairman of NULGE, Comdr. Adamu Sharhabilu, gave the commendation in an interview with journalists shortly after the judgment on Thursday in Lafia.
It would be recalled that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), had filled a suit seeking for full autonomy and direct fund allocation to the 774 local government areas (LGAs) in the country.
Fagbemi requested the Supreme Court to order that funds for LGAs managed by caretaker committees appointed by governors, rather than elected chairmen and councillors, be withheld.
However, the 36 state governors, represented by their attorneys general, opposed the suit on various grounds, including their argument that the Supreme Court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case.
In the meantime, NULGE chairman said that the judgment was a victory for democracy and a testimony that the judiciary was indeed the last hope of the common man.
Sharhabilu explained that so many of their comrades who started the struggle for the automatic were no longer alive to witness its actualization.
He appreciated President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government for taking the initiative to fight for the autonomy of the third tier of government.
The Nasarawa State NULGE boss added that with this development, LGAs in the country would witness serious development and the salaries of civil servants would be paid promptly.
He also expressed optimism the insecurity in the country would be tackled because there would be more employment for the people at the grassroots thereby making them unavailable for crimes.
When contacted for his reaction, Alhaji Aminu Muazu-Maifata, National President of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) declined comments for now.
The ALGON President who doubled as the Chairman of Lafia Lafia Local Government Area, said he would only comment after studying the details of the judgment.
The Supreme Court had ordered the federal government to immediately start the direct payment of local government funds directly to area councils.
