LAGOS – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), have commended the financial autonomy given to local governments in the country by the recent Supreme Court rulings
The Labour Centers stated that the landmark judgment on Thursday by the Supreme Court, endorsed full autonomy for the 774 local governments in the country, putting an end to the abuse of their affairs by some state governors.
Comrade Joe Ajaero, NLC’s President in a statement made available to Daily Independent, said: “We at the Nigeria Labour Congress wish to commend the Supreme Court of Nigeria for restoring power to the Local Governments.
EXPOSED!! POPULAR ABUJA DOCTOR REVEALED HOW MEN CAN NATURALLY AND PERMANENTLY CURE POOR ERECTION,QUICK EJACULATION, SMALL AND SHAMEFUL MANHOOD WITHOUT SIDE EFFECTS. EVEN IF YOU ARE HYPERTENSIVE OR DIABETIC ..STOP THE USE OF HARD DRUG FOR SEX!! IT KILLS!
“It’s epochal pronouncement on Thursday, July 11, 2024 directing that financial allocations be made directly to Local Governments as well as divesting state governments of power to remove local government executives is both courageous and salubrious.
“The Supreme Court through this landmark judgment has not only restored our democracy, but possibly hope in the democracy.
“Not a few believe the stunted national growth or development and the overwhelming surge in crimes and threats to our collective good is directly tied to the seizure and paralysis of local governments by state governments.
“The journey to the Local Governments’ freedom has been a tortuous one”.
Advertisement
He, however, said: “For years we had watched with dismay and discontent the remorseless and mindless erosion of the powers of the Local Governments and had embarked on a series of national protests as workers.
“We also note the effort made by the Buhari Administration to prise off the strangle-hold of governors on local governments. We must also mention the commendable role on this matter by the 9th Assembly. Thus, there is need for a self-purgation or a national rebirth as laws or court pronouncements alone may not be enough”.
Comrade Festus Osifo, President of TUC in chats with Daily Independent, stated that: “The freedom of local governments now will be nothing if those who will take charge, end up behaving badly like their predecessors in power.
While commending the efforts by the Federal Government to correct the wrong of the past, Comrade Osifo, said: “We specifically commend the President and the Attorney General of the Federation.
“The apex Court Judgment has been given but we are now confronted with implementation. We urge that all necessary measures be taken that this judgment is not sabotaged at the implementation stage.
“This brings us to the conduct of elections at local governments. Elections by SIECS have been anything but fair. The true freedom of local governments, in our view, must also come from those who govern them.
“Should SIECS be allowed to conduct ‘elections’ or should NEC take over (even as they are over-burdened and are not exactly the best example). Should there be regulatory agency or commission with an oversight over SIECs? We will find the devil in the details through a stake-holder conversation”.
