President Bola Tinubu on Friday warned state governors that he may issue an Executive Order to enforce direct funding for local governments if they fail to comply with a recent Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to the third tier of government.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The President delivered the warning while addressing the 15th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

Tinubu recalled that during the APC’s 14th National Caucus meeting on Thursday, he emphasized that local government autonomy must be supported by adequate funding to be effective.

Speaking to NEC members, including governors, National Working Committee officials, 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 follow the landmark July 11, 2024, Supreme Court judgment that upheld the Federal Government’s position on enforcing financial autonomy for local governments.

In a unanimous ruling, a seven-member panel of the apex court declared it unconstitutional for state governments to control or withhold funds allocated to local councils. The court directed that allocations from the Federation Account be paid directly to local governments, as stipulated in Section 162(5–8) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), a provision often undermined by the use of joint accounts by many states.

Reiterating his stance, Tinubu urged governors to comply with the ruling, warning that continued violations could prompt federal intervention. “The ultimate goal is our Supreme Court. We have to comply. We have to respect the judgment,” he insisted.