Chairman of the Senate Committee on Services and Senator representing Kogi West, Sunday Steve Karimi, has pledged the National Assembly’s full backing for President Bola Tinubu in enforcing financial autonomy for Local Governments and reclaiming trillions of naira allegedly misappropriated by some state governments over the years.
Speaking to his constituents during the yuletide season, Karimi said the legislature is ready to enact strong, comprehensive laws to ensure strict compliance with the Supreme Court ruling of July 25, 2024.
The apex court had ordered that federal allocations be paid directly to Nigeria’s 774 local government councils, striking down governors’ control over local funds and invalidating caretaker committee appointments.
Describing the ruling as a pivotal moment for grassroots governance, the senator emphasized that only democratically elected local government officials should manage council resources.
He said the judgment was intended to strengthen democracy at the grassroots, enhance accountability, and improve service delivery—the tier of government closest to ordinary Nigerians.
Despite the court’s clarity, Karimi lamented that many state governments continue to flout the directive. He noted that President Tinubu recently indicated, during an All Progressives Congress National Executive Committee meeting, that he might be forced to issue an Executive Order to compel compliance from defiant governors.
“The President has shown restraint, though he is fully empowered by the constitution to enforce the Supreme Court ruling in the interest of national development and the rule of law,” Karimi said.
He assured that the National Assembly would not remain passive while the court’s ruling is disregarded. “We will prioritise legislation to enforce the judgment, including retroactive measures where necessary, to track misappropriated funds, recover stolen resources, and ensure accountability,” he added.
Karimi alleged that trillions meant for local development have been systematically siphoned off by state governors, their political sponsors, and associates.
He warned that despite increased federal allocations to states and local governments, Nigerians have seen little improvement in basic services, which he attributed to the sustained diversion of council funds.
Linking the ineffectiveness of local governments to rising insecurity, Karimi cited comments from the Chief of Defence Staff, who reportedly warned that dysfunctional councils have created ungoverned areas exploited by terrorists, bandits, and criminal networks.
The senator described how in some states, local government allocations are routinely processed through fraudulent schemes.
According to him, state-controlled networks manipulate vouchers for fictitious projects, forcing council officials to approve billions of naira in non-existent expenditures under threat or intimidation.
“No projects are executed, yet funds are withdrawn regularly. This is institutionalized theft that deprives millions of Nigerians of development,” Karimi said.
He warned that governors and their collaborators who undermine grassroots development will eventually face accountability once the National Assembly finalizes the legislative framework.
“Such impunity has no place in a 21st-century democracy. Restoring local government financial autonomy is essential for national growth, security, and the consolidation of democracy,” he concluded.
