
APC Youth Leader Calls on Tinubu to Act on LGA Funding
A prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) youth leader based in Dubai , Sadiq Saleh Osude , has called on President Bola Tinubu to act decisively and implement the Supreme Court’s 2024 ruling that grants local government councils full financial autonomy .
Osude made the call in a statement issued on Wednesday, warning that the current delay in enforcing direct LGA funding is hurting rural communities and undermining the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda .
“The courts have spoken. The Constitution is clear. The people are waiting. What remains is for the President to give the green light to the CBN to begin direct crediting of local government accounts.”
He added:
“Any further delay is not just administrative — it is a denial of development to millions in rural Nigeria.”
Why the Supreme Court Ruling Matters
In July 2024, the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional the practice where state governments intercept or manipulate local government funds through joint accounts or unelected caretaker committees .
The judgment affirmed that only democratically elected local councils should receive allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
Osude stressed that this was not just a legal win—it was a constitutional mandate that must be followed without hesitation.
“Local government autonomy is not a political favor; it is a right guaranteed by Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution .”
He warned that some governors are now trying to retain control over local finances using commercial bank channels , citing unpaid debts by LGAs —a move he described as unconstitutional and misleading.
Real Development Begins at the Grassroots
Osude emphasized that true progress starts at the community level.
“This is not about political control — it’s about clinics in our communities, salaries for primary school teachers, and roads that connect farms to markets.”
He urged the President to issue an executive directive to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) , Ministry of Finance , and other relevant agencies to immediately open dedicated LGA accounts .
He also proposed a publicly accessible portal that would show monthly FAAC allocations to each council, ensuring transparency and accountability across all 774 LGAs.
“Our Renewed Hope Agenda must be rooted in real, measurable progress,” Osude said.
Time to Move From Legal Victory to Practical Action
While the federal government won the case at the apex court, Osude warned that no reform is complete without implementation .
He joined civil society groups, governance experts, and citizens in urging President Tinubu to act before the next Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting.
“Now is the time for the President to move from courtroom success to concrete change.”
He concluded:
“This is President Tinubu’s opportunity to empower Nigeria’s third tier of government and deliver the most important dividend of democracy — development where the people live.”
Call to Action: Share Your Thoughts!
Do you think direct LGA funding will bring real change to rural Nigeria? Should the President intervene now?
💬 Leave a comment below and join the conversation on federalism, local governance, and national development.
📢 Don’t forget to share this article to spread awareness about the need for urgent implementation of the Supreme Court’s LGA autonomy ruling.
Be the first to leave a comment