By Editor
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has granted financial autonomy to local governments, a move hailed as a significant victory for good governance and anti-corruption efforts.
The judgment, delivered yesterday, empowers local governments to take control of their finances and make independent decisions, free from the shackles of state government control.
The African Network for Anti-corruption (ANA), a civil society organization, welcomed the judgment, describing it as a “historic decision” that would improve local government performance and service delivery.
“With this autonomy, local governments can now provide better healthcare, education, and infrastructure for their communities, create jobs, and stimulate local economies,” said Muhammad Musbahu Basirka, President and Convenor of ANA.
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The judgment is seen as a major blow to corruption and poor governance in Nigeria, where local governments have long been hamstrung by over-reliance on state governments.
However, ANA cautioned that the judgment is only a first step, and urged federal and state governments to respect and implement the ruling in full. The organization also called for a constitutional amendment to ensure credible and transparent local government elections.
Twenty states that have not conducted local government elections were urged to do so promptly, to ensure that the autonomy granted by the Supreme Court is not undermined.
The judgment has been hailed as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fight against corruption and poor governance, and is expected to have far-reaching implications for the country’s development.
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