Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of deliberately delaying the enforcement of local government financial autonomy for political gains, alleging that the issue is being used to pressure governors into joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Atiku made the accusation while reacting to recent comments by President Tinubu on the Supreme Court judgment that granted full financial autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local government councils.
According to him, the President’s handling of the matter shows a lack of political will and respect for the Constitution.
The Supreme Court, in a unanimous judgment delivered in July 2024, ruled that it is unconstitutional for state governments to control or withhold funds meant for local governments.
The apex court also declared the use of caretaker committees illegal, insisting that only democratically elected local councils are recognised under the 1999 Constitution.
During the 15th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the APC held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, President Tinubu had called on state governors to comply with the judgment.
He warned that failure to do so could force the Federal Government to issue an Executive Order mandating direct allocation of funds to local governments from the Federation Account.
However, Atiku faulted the President’s approach, insisting that there was no need for further warnings or threats.
“At this point, there is no need for threats of Executive Orders,” Atiku said.
“All the President needs to do is instruct the Attorney-General of the Federation to enforce the judgment immediately. Anything short of this is a failure of leadership.”
The former vice president, who is now a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alleged that the delay was intentional and politically driven.
“Your refusal to act is a calculated political move—using obedience to the law as a bargaining chip to force opposition governors into the APC and to keep governors within your party firmly under your control,” Atiku wrote.
He further accused the President of undermining constitutional governance for partisan advantage.
“In doing so, you have reduced the Constitution to a tool of convenience and governance to partisan bargaining. Supreme Court judgments are final, not optional,” he stated.
Atiku also warned that continued failure to implement the ruling amounts to a serious constitutional breach.
“Persistently refusing to enforce one is a direct breach of the Constitution and a violation of the oath you swore to Nigerians,” he said.
He concluded by warning that the Tinubu administration would be judged by history over its handling of the matter.
“Your continued inaction sends a clear message that political control matters more than constitutional duty. History will not forget this moment. Nigerians will not either,” Atiku added.