President Bola Tinubu has hailed the decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria to grant full financial autonomy to local governments in the country.

The decision, he said, aligned with the spirit, intent, and purpose of the Nigerian Constitution on the statutory rights of the third tier of government.

In his reaction to the judgment delivered by the apex court on Thursday, the President stated that a fundamental challenge to the nation’s advancement over the years has been an ineffective local government administration, which had rendered governance at that level of socio-political configuration nearly absent.

In a press release by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the President emphasised that the onus is now on local council leaders to ensure that the broad spectrum of Nigerians living at that level are satisfied that they are benefitting from people-oriented service delivery.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda is about the people of this country, at all levels, irrespective of faith, tribe, gender, political affiliation, or any other artificial line they say exists between us. This country belongs to all of us. By virtue of this judgement, our people – especially the poor – will be able to hold their local leaders to account for their actions and inactions. What is sent to local government accounts will be known, and services must now be provided without excuses.

“My administration instituted this suit, because of our unwavering belief that our people must have relief and today’s judgement will ensure that it will be only those local officials elected by the people that will control the resources of the people. This judgement stands as a resounding affirmation that we can use legitimate means of redress to restructure our country and restructure our economy to make Nigeria a better place to live in and a fairer society for all of our people,” President Tinubu stated.

The noted that the provision of some essential amenities and public goods, such as the construction and maintenance of certain roads, streets, street lighting, drains, parks, gardens, open spaces, and other residual responsibilities, including community security, has tottered owing to the emasculation of local governments.

The President affirmed that the decision of the Supreme Court to uphold the constitutional rights and ideals of local governments as regards financial autonomy, and other salient principles, is of historic significance and further reinforced the efforts to enhance Nigeria’s true federal fabric for the development of the entire nation.

He commends the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), for his diligence and patriotic efforts on this important assignment.

The President reiterated his administration’s commitment to protecting the principles of the charter governing citizens, institutions of government, arms, and tiers of government in furtherance of building an efficient and performance-driven governance system that works for every Nigerian.