Nigeria's Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy prompts emergency meeting of state governors. Governor Soludo praises the decision while emphasizing the need for grassroots resource allocation.
The recent Supreme Court decision granting autonomy to Local Government Councils in Nigeria has prompted a swift response from state governors. Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo revealed that the Nigeria Governors Forum has called an emergency meeting to review the ruling.
Speaking after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Soludo praised the court's decision as a democratic process. He emphasized the need for resources to reach the grassroots and promote accountability and transparency in public resource utilization at all levels of government.
The Supreme Court's ruling, which declared as unconstitutional the practice of state governors controlling funds meant for local governments, resulted from a case brought by the Federal Government against state governors. This landmark decision aims to compel governors to relinquish control over local government administration.
Public reaction to the news has been mixed. Many Nigerians took to social media to express their views: One user questioned the necessity of the governors' meeting, suggesting they were aware of their actions' implications. Another responded with laughter emojis, implying skepticism about the governor's intentions.
A commenter expressed shame at the situation, while another advised governors who disagreed with the ruling to resign honorably. Some reactions were more cynical, with one user suggesting the matter was already settled. Nigerians pointed out the contrast between the governors' quick response to this ruling and their perceived lack of urgency in addressing other pressing issues affecting citizens. One user specifically noted the absence of similar emergency meetings when people are suffering.
