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The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has criticised the Federal Government for failing to implement the Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to the country\'s 774 local government councils, nearly 18 months after the landmark ruling.
Speaking in an interview with journalists in Abuja on Sunday, NULGE National President, Mr Aliyu Kankara, described the delay as unacceptable, insisting that the responsibility for enforcing the judgment rests squarely with the Federal Government and not the states.
He called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately direct the implementation of the ruling, stressing that further delay undermines the rule of law and weakens grassroots governance across the country.
According to Kankara, the Supreme Court clearly ordered that allocations meant for local governments should be paid directly from the Federation Account through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
He noted that key federal institutions, including the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Central Bank of Nigeria, have constitutional responsibilities to ensure compliance with the judgment.
Describing the prolonged delay as a violation of the Constitution, Kankara maintained that Supreme Court decisions are binding on all authorities and must be obeyed without hesitation.
He argued that the issue has moved beyond political considerations, insisting that implementing local government financial autonomy is essential for strengthening democratic governance and restoring public confidence in the justice system.
The NULGE president said direct access to statutory allocations would empower local councils to deliver improved healthcare, education, sanitation, rural roads and other essential services needed at the grassroots.
He also linked the delay to worsening insecurity, noting that local governments are better positioned to tackle community-based security challenges if they have adequate financial resources to support local initiatives.
Kankara disclosed that both NULGE and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had formally written to President Tinubu, urging him to ensure immediate implementation of the judgment, but said they were still awaiting an official response.
He reaffirmed the union\'s commitment to sustained advocacy until the Supreme Court ruling is fully implemented, describing local government financial autonomy as indispensable for effective grassroots development and democratic accountability.
