President Bola Tinubu on Friday warned state governors that he may be forced to issue an Executive Order to enforce direct allocations to local governments if they fail to comply with a recent Supreme Court ruling affirming financial autonomy for Nigeria’s third tier of government.
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Tinubu issued the warning during the 15th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
The President had earlier, at the 14th National Caucus meeting of the APC on Thursday, said there would be no autonomy for local government areas without funded mandates.
Reiterating his directive for compliance, Tinubu warned that continued non-compliance could compel him to order direct allocation of local government funds through the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
Addressing NEC members, including governors, National Working Committee members and other party leaders, Tinubu said, “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.”
He added, “I’m just being very respectful and understanding with my governors. Otherwise, if you don’t start to implement it, FAAC after FAAC you will see.”
Tinubu’s remarks followed the July 11, 2024, landmark judgment of the Supreme Court, which ruled in favour of the Federal Government’s suit seeking to enforce financial independence for local governments.
In a unanimous decision, a seven-member panel of the apex court declared it unconstitutional for state governments to retain or manage funds meant for local councils.
@thenigerialawyer “I Have the Knife, I Have the Yam” — Tinubu Warns Governors May Enforce LG Autonomy by Executive Order
The court ordered direct payment of allocations from the Federation Account to local governments, as provided under Section 162(5–8) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), a provision widely flouted through the use of joint state-local government accounts.
Reiterating his position, Tinubu stressed that compliance was mandatory, warning that persistent violations could trigger federal intervention.
“The ultimate goal is the Supreme Court. We have to comply. We have to respect the judgment,” he said.
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