Supreme Court Ruling on Local Government Allocations Has Far-reaching Implications

A recent ruling by the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the direct allocation of funds to local governments has sparked discussions on the implications of this decision. Renowned lawyer and human rights activist, Liborous Oshoma, shed light on the legal aspects surrounding this directive in an interview with ARISE News. Oshoma emphasized that the provision for direct allocations to local governments is already enshrined in the fourth schedule of the constitution.

According to Oshoma, the real challenge lies in the implementation of existing laws rather than a lack of legislation. He highlighted how corruption and mismanagement have undermined the functions of local governments, leading to misconceptions about their roles and financial autonomy.

The Supreme Court’s ruling, viewed as a positive step by Oshoma, is expected to prompt a closer examination of local government finances and strengthen oversight mechanisms. By mandating direct allocations, the ruling aims to promote transparency and accountability in the distribution of funds.

While praising the court’s decision, Oshoma also called for broader reforms, particularly in amending section 197 of the constitution to ensure the democratic election of local government councils. He emphasized the need for independent electoral bodies at the state level to conduct free and fair local government elections.

Oshoma stressed that enforcing the Supreme Court’s directive is crucial to empowering local governments in Nigeria. By upholding the constitutional guarantee of democratically elected councils, the federal government and state authorities must work together to implement the ruling effectively.