Supreme Court Ruling Sparks Calls for LG Election Reforms

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (Situation Room) has issued a fervent call for a reformation of the local government election process following a landmark Supreme Court decision affirming financial autonomy for local councils.

In a statement released by the group’s Convener, Y.Z Ya’u, the Situation Room emphasised the need for reforms to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s local government system against what it described as undemocratic practices by state governors.

“The reform of LGAs’ elections will give full effect to the intendment of the apex court’s judgment,” Ya’u asserted, “and protect the local government system in Nigeria from the undemocratic and overbearing tendencies of some governors.”

The group also commended the Supreme Court’s directive requiring the federal government to directly allocate funds to local councils from the federation account, thereby curtailing the practice of state governors appointing unelected officials to manage local governments.

“The Situation Room considers this judicial pronouncement a vital intervention in Nigeria’s democratic development,” the statement continued, “and calls on State Governments to promptly comply with the decision to bolster grassroots governance and ensure unhindered delivery of essential services by Local Governments.”

Highlighting longstanding grievances, Ya’u pointed out, “Since 1999, citizens have witnessed Governors subjugate Local Government Councils by controlling their funds and installing ‘Caretaker Committees’—an administrative structure unknown to the law or Constitution.”

The statement also criticised the neglect of funding for State Independent Electoral Commissions responsible for conducting local government elections in some states.

“We urge citizens, civil society groups, and community leaders to monitor the implementation of this judgment,” Ya’u urged, “and to establish mechanisms ensuring accountability at the Local Government level.”

The Supreme Court’s judgment, delivered on Thursday, rebuked the persistent denial of financial autonomy to local governments by state authorities.

Justice Emmanuel Agim, reading the lead judgment, mandated immediate and direct federal payments of local government funds to exclusive council accounts.