ALGON and NULGE back Tinubu’s local government fund autonomy directive, urging governors to comply with Supreme Court ruling or face executive action
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria and the National Union of Local Government Employees have thrown their support behind President Bola Tinubu’s plan to enforce direct deductions of council funds from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, amid continued state control of allocations.
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During the 15th National Executive Committee meeting of the All Progressives Congress at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, Tinubu urged governors to comply with the Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to local governments.
He warned that non-compliance could compel him to issue an executive order to ensure direct allocations.
The Supreme Court ruling of July 11, 2024, upheld the Federal Government’s suit seeking financial independence for local councils, declaring it unconstitutional for state governments to retain or manage funds meant for councils.
Despite this, allocations continue to pass through state governments, with The PUNCH finding that N7.43tn meant for local councils between July 2024 and December 2025 was still routed through states.
ALGON Secretary-General Muhammed Abubakar expressed confidence that governors would comply with the Supreme Court order, noting that the President had made his warning explicitly to the governors.
“If that is not carried out, we will all support the president to go ahead with whatever threat he has made,” he said.
Similarly, NULGE Bauchi State President Muhammad Yunusa described Tinubu’s proposed executive order as a welcome development that would relieve local government workers nationwide.
“Full implementation of the executive order would strengthen grassroots governance and improve the welfare of local government workers,” Yunusa said.
In Kano State, NULGE Chairman Ibrahim Muhammad expressed cautious optimism about the management of council funds, praising the state government for releasing funds for meaningful projects and clearing civil service debts.
He said the President’s directive would likely be complied with once the governor returned from travel.
Kebbi State officials also assured that local governments would enjoy autonomy in line with Supreme Court rulings, describing the state government as fully supportive of Tinubu’s directive.
Meanwhile, Nasarawa State’s NULGE chapter anticipates compliance, noting that the state had previously distributed funds to local governments through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The state government clarified that local councils had enjoyed autonomy since 2019 under Governor Abdullahi Sule.
Reactions in Jigawa and Adamawa states were mixed, with ALGON and NULGE officials indicating respect for the Supreme Court ruling and urging clarity from the federal government, particularly regarding Central Bank accounts necessary for autonomy.
In Adamawa, ALGON Chairman Suleiman Toungo insisted that autonomy was already implemented and questioned delays by the CBN.
In Gombe State, NULGE confirmed there were no known cases of fund diversion. Attempts to reach other ALGON and NULGE leaders, as well as the Nigeria Governors Forum, were largely unsuccessful, though the NGF spokesperson confirmed that governors would respond publicly following consultations.
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The issue underscores ongoing tensions between federal directives and state practices regarding local government financial autonomy, even as unions continue to press for direct access to funds for the benefit of grassroots governance.
