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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.
The National Vice-Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-East, Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu, has maintained that there is no constitutional provision preventing Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, from contesting the Imo West senatorial seat in the 2027 elections while still serving as governor.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
News reports that Arodiogbu, who also serves as the South-East Co-Zonal Coordinator of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, made the clarification while responding to arguments questioning the governor’s eligibility.
He cited Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution, which states that “the Governor shall not, during the period when he holds office, hold any other executive office or paid employment in any capacity whatsoever.”
According to him, the provision only prohibits a sitting governor from occupying two offices simultaneously and does not prevent the person from seeking a party nomination, contesting or winning another election.
Arodiogbu also referenced Section 68(1)(f) of the Constitution, which requires a lawmaker to vacate his legislative seat upon assuming an executive position.
He argued that the provision recognises the possibility of moving between executive and legislative offices, provided the two positions are not held at the same time.
He said, “There is no constitutional impediment against Senator Hope Uzodinma’s aspiration. The Constitution does not require a sitting governor to resign merely because he desires to contest another election. What it forbids is dual occupancy of offices.
“Should he win the senatorial election, he would resign as Governor before taking the oath of office as a Senator. That is the clear position of the law.”
The APC chieftain further stated that appellate courts, in interpreting Sections 66, 107, 137, 182 and 183 of the Constitution, had held that resignation was only necessary when a candidate was about to assume a new office.
He added that no provision of the Electoral Act imposes a general restriction on a sitting governor seeking election into the Senate.
Arodiogbu also argued that Uzodimma’s tenure, which is expected to end in January 2028, does not constitute a legal obstacle, insisting that any transition would be carried out in accordance with the Constitution after the inauguration of the new National Assembly.
He said, “The law is clear, the Constitution is clear, and the judicial authorities support this position.
“Those peddling the contrary view are either deliberately misinterpreting the Constitution or attempting to create political distraction. Senator Hope Uzodinma remains free to pursue his legitimate political aspiration without any constitutional disability.”
He reaffirmed the APC’s support for Uzodimma as its candidate for the Imo West senatorial seat and urged party members to disregard what he described as speculative legal arguments.
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja had, on October 29, ruled that former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, won the APC senatorial primary for the district.
The Imo State Government has indicated that it would appeal the judgment.
Human rights activist and chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Aisha Yesufu, has vowed that the party will adopt a tougher approach ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Yesufu declared that the NDC would be both refined and rugged, insisting that no group or individual had a “monopoly of madness.”
She warned that the party would not tolerate intimidation or attacks against its members, adding that supporters would stand their ground whenever they were threatened.
Naija News reports that she made the declaration on Thursday following an attack on NDC supporters ahead of the party’s town hall meeting at the Classic Event Centre in the Oregun area of Lagos State.
According to Yesufu, the political campaign was not solely about the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, but belonged to everyone supporting the movement.
She said, “In 2023 we were refined, in 2027 we will be refined and rugged. Nobody has monopoly of madness and anybody wey say him dey crase we go send am go psychiatric hospital. We are not slaves, we are citizens. This campaign is not Peter Gregory Obi campaign, it is our campaign.”
Recall that the NDC town hall meeting in Oregun, Lagos State, turned violent after suspected political thugs invaded the venue and attacked party supporters.
According to The Cable, the attackers, who were armed with cutlasses, cudgels and stones, disrupted the event and forced participants to flee for safety.
Chairs and other items at the venue were reportedly scattered during the attack.
The incident allegedly left some supporters injured and several vehicles damaged. A journalist covering the event was also reportedly assaulted, while his recording equipment was taken.
The confrontation later spread to Kudirat Abiola Way, disrupting traffic before police operatives arrived and fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The Zamfara State Commissioner for Commerce, Tasiu Musa Shinkafi, has died at the age of 50.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Shinkafi reportedly passed away on Wednesday in Kaduna State following a brief illness.
News reports that Governor Dauda Lawal announced the commissioner’s death in a statement issued through his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris.
Reacting to the development, Lawal expressed sadness over the loss, describing Shinkafi’s death as an irreparable loss to the state government and the people of Zamfara.
The governor noted that the late commissioner’s contributions to governance, politics and public service would remain memorable.
He said, “With heavy hearts and in total submission to the will of Almighty Allah (T), we received the shocking news of the passing of the Commissioner for Commerce, Tasiu Musa Shinkafi.
“Tasiu’s death is a great loss not only to his family and the state government, but also to the people of Zamfara.
“He will be remembered for his dedication, honesty, and commitment to Zamfara State.
“He served diligently as Commissioner for Youth and Sport before being redeployed to the Ministry of Commerce.
“As a valued member of my administration and a brother in service, his contributions to governance, politics, and public service will be remembered.
“May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and give his family the strength to bear this great loss.”
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