The Senate has called on the states and local governments to fully comply with the Supreme Court’s judgment by ensuring that local governments have complete control of their funds.
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On Wednesday, it cautioned the 36 states and the 774 local governments against circumventing the recent Supreme Court judgment, which granted full autonomy to local government councils in the country.
The session, which was presided over by the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, also said the National Assembly would amend relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution, especially 162, to provide full autonomy for local government administration in Nigeria.
The Senate’s resolution came amid a brief drama on the floor, which forced senators to hold a closed-door session before arriving at the decision.
Former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and senator representing Anambra-North Senatorial District, Sen. Tony Nwoye, had brought a motion alerting senators to alleged attempts by at least three states to disobey the apex court’s judgment.
Nwoye informed his colleagues that the states were moving to use their legislatures to pass laws that would create accounts where the local funds would be paid into before being disbursed for spending.
He requested the Senate to intervene by passing a resolution to halt the states from disobeying the supreme court’s judgment.
However, drama started on the floor when some senators pointed at the futility of passing another resolution by the Red Chamber when the supreme court’s judgment had already addressed the issue.
For instance, Sen. Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi-Central), drew attention to Section 287 of the 1999 Constitution, which makes decisions of the apex court enforceable across the Federation without exceptions.
Aliero noted that the Senate was embarking on a mission to “over flog” a matter long settled by the apex court.
He argued, “Supreme court judgments are enforceable across the country. There is no need for us to be debating anything that has to do with it here.”
As he spoke, Akpabio also interjected by saying that section 162 of the constitution, which provides for a state/local government joint account, would have to be amended to bring it in line with the court’s judgment.
He explained that in doing so, the states must not be discouraged from complying with other provisions that allow them to support the local governments with additional funds.
Amid the back and forth on the floor, Akpabio called for an executive session, which lasted for about two hours.
The Senate, upon reconvening plenary after the executive session, called on all states and local governments to comply with the apex court’s judgment, while the National Assembly would amend the constitution to bring its provisions in line with the judgment.
The prayers for the resolution were moved by the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano-North).
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