LG autonomy: Senate behind Supreme Court – Akpabio

The Nigerian Senate has expressed its full support for the Supreme Court judgment on granting of financial autonomy to the 774 Local Governments in Nigeria.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio made this declaration after senate resumed from a closed session over a motion sponsored by Sen.Tony Nwoye, (LP-Anambra).

The motion was on an alleged attempt by some state governments through their Houses of Assemblies to enact laws to circumvent ruling of the supreme court to grant financial autonomy to local governments.

The Senate, thereafter, approved the two prayers out of the six prayers advanced by Sen.Tony Nwoye in his motion.

The lawmakers consequently urged all state and local governments to fully comply with the recent Supreme Court judgment on the disbursement and utilisation of funds accrued to all local governments in Nigeria.

Akpabio thanked the lawmakers for all their contributions, especially Sen. Tony Nwoye, who brought out the motion in an attempt to circumvent the ruling of the Supreme Court.

“We stand solidly behind the Supreme Court judgment and pronouncement on the local government autonomy.

“We have looked at the motion and saw that some of the prayers would conflict with the existing provisions within the constitution, and we have jointly agreed on two prayers.

“Because we believe strongly that if there is any legacy that this administration and indeed the 10th Senate and National Assembly will live behind, it is the legacy of sanitising the local government,” Akpabio said.

LG autonomy: Senate behind Supreme Court – Akpabio