Supreme Court Ruling Empowers Local Governments, Says Former Lagos PDP Guber CandidateSupreme Court Ruling Empowers Local Governments, Says Former Lagos PDP Guber Candidate Former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Dr. Ade Dosunmu, has lauded the Supreme Court’s decision on local government autonomy. In a press release, Dosunmu hailed the ruling as “historic but timely.” He believes it will guarantee the delivery of democratic dividends to the grassroots represented by the 774 local governments in Nigeria. “We now have a well-structured federal system that guarantees the independence of each level of government, as is the case in other federal jurisdictions around the world,” Dosunmu stated. He advised state governors to accept the decision and view it as “a sacrifice they must make for the advancement of our democracy.” Dosunmu also called on Nigerians to hold local government chairmen accountable for their actions. “There must be robust civic engagement by residents of local governments on how allocated funds are utilized and how projects are implemented,” he said. The former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his “bold and daring initiative that has led to this historic judgment.” He believes it will open new opportunities for Nigerians as the country consolidates its democratic journey.
Former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Dr. Ade Dosunmu, has hailed the decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the issue of local government autonomy brought before the court by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, describing it as a historic but timely ruling.
Dosunmu stated in a press release made available to LEADERSHIP that the Supreme Court decision will guarantee that democratic dividends will be paid to the grassroots, represented by the 774 local governments in the country.
According to him, Nigeria now has a well-structured federal system that guarantees the independence of each tier of government, as is the case in other federal jurisdictions around the world.
“The importance of this decision at this time in our history cannot be overstated as it will undoubtedly guarantee the delivery of democratic dividends to the grassroots as represented by the 774 local governments.
We now have a well-structured federal system that guarantees the independence of each level of government, as is the case in other federal jurisdictions around the world.
“State governors are advised to accept this in good faith and see this as a sacrifice they must make for the advancement of our democracy,” said the former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Dosunmu, however, called on Nigerians to be accountable to the chairmen of the 774 government and to commit to local governance.
“For the local government chairmen, it should be seen as a call for accountability and greater dedication to duty because much is expected of those who get much. My advice to Nigerians living in the 774 local governments is to get involved and demand accountability from their local government chairmen.
“There must be robust civic engagement by residents of local governments on how allocated funds are utilized and how projects are implemented. I congratulate and commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this bold and daring initiative that has led to this historic judgment that has opened new opportunities for Nigerians as we consolidate our democratic journey,” Dosunmu said.
