President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to enforcing the Supreme Court’s judgment on local government autonomy, insisting that the judgment must be translated into concrete action across the country.
The President made the remarks on Thursday, December 18, during the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caucus meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he also appealed to state governors to refrain from interfering with the funds of local government councils.
Addressing governors from his party, Tinubu described the apex court’s ruling as a crucial development that should be respected in both letter and spirit.
He said, “Let us equally look at the recent Supreme Court judgement. What can we do with it, and how well we can position our country and our party?
“To me, the local government autonomy is and must be effective. Let us give them. There is no autonomy without a funded mandate.”
The President stressed that local governments should receive their statutory allocations directly, without interference from state governments.
“We give them their money directly. That’s the truth. That’s compliance with the supreme court,” he said, emphasising the need for practical and effective implementation of the judgment.
In his address, Tinubu also urged governors to remain engaged at all levels of governance in their states, from the state house to grassroots communities.
“You have to navigate this country; whether we like it or not, you are in the leadership position that must yield and continue to promote, tolerate and be flexible and get involved in whatever is happening in your various states, up to the local government level,” he told the governors.
He painted a picture of shared responsibility, urging leaders to balance authority with openness and responsiveness to the needs at the sub‑state level.