The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) will hold a State of the Nation Discussion on the financial autonomy of local governments.
This was revealed in a statement signed by NBA General Secretary Mobolaji Ojibara and issued in Abuja on Saturday.
The statement asserts that the subject is essential to guaranteeing complete adherence to the Supreme Court’s historic ruling in Attorney General of the Federation v. Attorney General of Abia State & 35 Others.
The 774 local government areas in the nation were given complete financial autonomy on July 11, 2024, by a seven-member Supreme Court panel under the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
In its majority ruling, the panel declared that governors’ continued receipt or retention of cash intended for local governments is unlawful and unconstitutional.
The NBA said in its statement that the discussion attempts to overcome the obstacles to the full application of the Supreme Court’s decision.
Important stakeholders, such as state governors, the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, civil society organisations, and the general public, will be present at the event, it noted.
The event was originally planned for February 10, 2025; however, it has been rescheduled for February 19, 2025. It will now take place at the NBA House, located at 1101 Muhammadu Buhari Way in Abuja.
To improve the accountability and effectiveness of local government, the association reaffirmed its commitment to promoting meaningful discourse.
“This high-level engagement will offer an opportunity to examine the obstacles preventing the full implementation of the Supreme Court’s ruling and map out a course towards a more accountable and effective local government system in Nigeria,” the statement read.
The NBA emphasised that the conversation is a major step in its efforts to support good governance and guarantee that court rulings are followed in Nigeria.
