By Adetokunbo FAKEYE
Nigeria – A non-profit organization, Yewa North Patriotic Forum, YNPF, in Ogun West Senatorial District of Ogun State has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the bold step taken through the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Barr. Lateef Fagbemi SAN for challenging the state Governors on the autonomy of the local governments and the victory recorded at the Supreme Court.
The forum, in a statement e-signed by its President, Comrade Adeyemi Sunday stated that the President action “demonstrate that the President is committed to the true principles of good governance, strengthen grassroots participation in politics and enjoying dividends of democracy, true and genuine principles of decentralization of power and federalism. We are indeed grateful for this unprecedented move on this critical issue, it is timely and long overdue.
“We welcome the judgement with a large heart of gratitude, we applaud this landmark judgement of the Supreme Court which granted financial autonomy to our local governments.
“This judgement is a significant victory for democracy, decentralization of power, good governance and grassroots development which will help us to eradicate poverty and draw more people that has made Nigeria become World Poverty Capital living below the poverty line out”.
Below is the full statement:
YEWA NORTH PATRIOTIC FORUM PUBLIC STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FINANCIAL AUTONOMY
We, the Executive members, the Board of Trustees and the entire members of Yewa North Patriotic Forum, Yewa North Local Government, Ogun State, Nigeria, wish to first and foremost commend the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for taking the bold step taken through the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Barr. Lateef Fagbemi SAN for challenging the state Governors, and seeking to make local governments a relevant tier of government.
This demonstrate that the President is committed to the true principles of good governance, strengthen grassroots participation in politics and enjoying dividends of democracy, true and genuine principles of decentralization of power and federalism. We are indeed grateful for this unprecedented move on this critical issue, it is timely and long overdue.
We welcome the judgement with a large heart of gratitude, we applaud this landmark judgement of the Supreme Court which granted financial autonomy to our local governments.
This judgement is a significant victory for democracy, decentralization of power, good governance and grassroots development which will help us to eradicate poverty and draw more people that has made Nigeria become World Poverty Capital living below the poverty line out.
We commend the tireless efforts of legal team, Civil Society Organizations (CSO), Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and other relevant stakeholders who partake in this historic victory for our local governments, your dedication and sacrifice towards this cause is commendable and well noted.
As we continue to celebrate this victory for our local governments, we are calling on all relevant stakeholders to ensure we work together for its effective implementation. We should continue to advocate for a progressive, prosperous and better Nigeria.
Furthermore, building on this memorable victory, we call on all relevant stakeholders again to come together and ensure that the elections of local governments in Nigeria is conducted timely by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in accordance with the 1999 Constitution as amended.
This will ensure that local governments affairs is carried out by democratically elected officials, that are accountable to the people of the local government area. We urge the States and National Legislative Assemblies to make all necessary legislative provisions for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct local government elections, this will indeed strengthen and deepen our democracy and encourage more grassroots participation.
In conclusion, this judgement has renew our hopes and reawake the sleeping giants in our local governments, we celebrate this victory.
Thank You Mr President and Congratulations to all Nigerians.
Long live Yewa North Patriotic Forum!
Long live Yewa North Local Government!!
Long live Ogun State!!!
Long live Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
Comr. Adeyemi Sunday
President, Yewa North Patriotic Forum
July 13th, 2024.
