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Ondo Government Urges Supreme Court To Dismiss AGF’s Suit On Local Government Autonomy
The Ondo State Government has officially challenged the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) in a Supreme Court case advocating for the autonomy of Nigeria’s 774 local governments. Ondo is urging the court to dismiss the AGF’s suit entirely.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Joining other state governments in opposing the federal suit, Ondo claims the federal government lacks the legal standing (locus standi) to bring such a case on behalf of local governments.
Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, Ondo State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, filed a Notice of Preliminary Objection, branding the federal government as a meddlesome interloper with no business interfering in local government matters.
Ajulo outlined 27 objections against the federal government’s suit. He argued that the AGF cannot unilaterally rewrite the Nigerian Constitution by asking the Supreme Court to assume jurisdiction over a case that violates section 232 of the 1999 Constitution, Section 1 of the Supreme Court Act 3, 2002, and Order 3, Rule 6 of the Supreme Court.
The objection stressed that Section 232 of the Constitution allows the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction only in disputes directly involving the federation and states, which pertain to legal rights.
Ondo contends that the funds at issue belong to local governments, which are constitutionally distinct from the federal government. According to Section 162(3) of the 1999 Constitution, funds in the federation account are to be distributed among federal, state, and local governments as prescribed by the National Assembly, not at the discretion of the federal government.
Ajulo also cited Section 162(8) of the Constitution, which mandates that local government funds be distributed according to state legislative provisions, not federal guidelines. Furthermore, Section 7(1) of the Constitution requires that state governments ensure the existence of democratically elected local councils and provide laws governing their structure, finance, and function.
He emphasized that the Ondo State House of Assembly has already enacted relevant legislation: the Local Government Administration, Conduct of Local Government Election, and Allied Matters law (Cap 87, Volume 2, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006). Thus, the federal government has no authority over local government fund allocation or distribution within Ondo State.
Ondo accuses the federal government of overstepping its bounds, interfering in local affairs without any affected legal interest. The state claims that the necessary parties for invoking the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction are not present.
Calling the federal government’s suit an affront to the principles of rule of law, democracy, separation of powers, and true federalism as enshrined in the Constitution, Ondo describes it as a gross abuse of Supreme Court process. The state is seeking an order to strike out the suit for being incompetent.
The Attorney General of the Federation initially brought the suit against the 36 state governments, accusing them of mismanaging local governments and seeking full autonomy and direct funding for local councils. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case on June 13.
According to Nivo News, the General Overseer of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, has declared what he described as divine judgment on bandits and their alleged sponsors responsible for insecurity across parts of Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Speaking on Sunday at the church’s headquarters in Ota, Ogun State, during a sermon themed “Covenant Day of Vengeance,” Oyedepo stated that those behind killings, kidnappings, and violent attacks would face divine retribution. He further claimed that within the next seven days, consequences would begin to manifest against those he accused of fueling unrest in the country, assuring worshippers that the coming week would be marked by “testimonies of vengeance.”
He was quoted as saying that judgment had been pronounced on individuals responsible for such acts and their supporters, adding that the outcome he referenced would unfold within a week.
In a related remark during a recent midweek service, Oyedepo also acknowledged the presence of fraudsters within and outside religious spaces, warning that his identity and images were being exploited for fraudulent schemes. He urged members of his congregation to remain vigilant and committed to truth to avoid falling victim to scams involving impersonation.
He recounted a case where an individual allegedly posed as him in an attempt to defraud unsuspecting victims, noting that such incidents highlight the growing sophistication of fraudulent activities.
A political disagreement has emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State following Governor Abdullahi Sule’s reported endorsement of Senator Aliyu Wadada as his preferred successor ahead of the 2027 governorship election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Nivo News, the move has sparked tension between the governor and his predecessor, Umar Tanko Al-Makura, who faulted the decision, describing it as premature and not properly consulted within party structures.
Al-Makura, a prominent figure in the state’s political landscape, expressed displeasure that he only became aware of the endorsement through media reports. He argued that the decision should have involved wider consultation, warning that such early endorsements could undermine internal party processes.
He further noted that the APC had not begun its formal nomination process, insisting that declaring support for a candidate at this stage was inappropriate and ahead of schedule.
The controversy was further heightened by former Inspector-General of Police, Muhammad Adamu, who is also aspiring for the APC governorship ticket. He rejected the endorsement, stating that no individual has the authority to impose a candidate, and reaffirmed his intention to contest in the party primaries.
In response, Governor Sule, through his media aide, defended the endorsement, stating that it was consistent with political traditions in the state. He referenced past succession arrangements, including Al-Makura’s own endorsement of him, arguing that the current process was in line with established practice but being conducted more transparently.
The governor’s camp clarified that Senator Wadada remains a preferred aspirant and not the party’s official candidate.
Senator Wadada, reacting to the development, called for calm among party members, describing the situation as part of normal political competition. He also downplayed tensions with other aspirants, noting that the contest should be seen as a democratic process.
Meanwhile, support for Adamu continues to grow in parts of Nasarawa South, where youths, women, and stakeholders have openly backed his ambition, alongside broader endorsements for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Adamu, however, maintained that he remains firmly in the race, accusing some political actors of inconsistency in the unfolding succession dynamics.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has described as unnecessary the denial issued by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) regarding an invitation allegedly extended to him for the groundbreaking ceremony of an ecumenical chapel at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Nivo News, the Sultan’s media team maintained that an official invitation was duly sent to His Eminence requesting his attendance as Royal Father of the Day. The statement explained that the event also listed key dignitaries, including the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, as Distinguished Guest of Honour, and Senator Oluremi Tinubu as Mother of the Day.
The Sultan’s office emphasised that his participation in the proposed Christian event would promote interfaith harmony, noting his role as Co-Chairman of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC). It added that globally, religious leaders often engage in events outside their faith traditions as part of efforts to encourage unity and peaceful coexistence.
The response follows an earlier clarification from CAN, which denied issuing any invitation to the Sultan and stated that the document circulating in public was not from the association. CAN further explained that the communication in question originated from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and insisted that it had no involvement in inviting the Sultan to the event.
While acknowledging that the SGF’s office was linked to the invitation process, the Sultan’s media team expressed concern over CAN’s denial, describing it as unnecessary and capable of creating misunderstanding, especially since the Sultan did not request to attend the ceremony.
The statement also urged religious bodies to focus on messages that strengthen unity and promote peaceful coexistence among Nigerians of different faiths and ethnic backgrounds.
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