Tinubu Warns Governors of Federal Intervention Over Local Government Financial Autonomy
President Bola Tinubu has warned state governors that he may be compelled to issue an Executive Order to ensure direct allocation of funds to local governments if they continue to flout a Supreme Court ruling on financial autonomy.
Speaking on Friday at the 15th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, Tinubu addressed governors and party leaders over the withholding of statutory allocations meant for local councils.
“The Supreme Court has capped it for you again, saying, ‘give them their money directly.’ If you wait for my Executive Order, because I have the knife, I have the yam, I will cut it,” Tinubu said, underscoring the seriousness of compliance.
He added, “I’m just being very respectful and understanding with my governors. Otherwise, if you don’t start to implement it, fact after fact, you will see.”
The comments follow the July 11, 2024 Supreme Court judgment, which upheld the Federal Government’s suit enforcing financial independence for local governments. The court ruled that it is unconstitutional for state governments to retain or manage funds meant for local councils, ordering that allocations be paid directly from the Federation Account—a practice often ignored through joint accounts by many states.
Reiterating the importance of adherence, Tinubu warned that further violations could prompt federal action. “The ultimate goal is our Supreme Court. We have to comply. We have to respect the judgment,” he stressed.
