The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, says there cannot be effective governance at the local government level without full autonomy.
He stated this while speaking to journalists after casting his ballots in the Lagos State local government elections in Surulere on Saturday.
Asked about his view on the implementation of the LG autonomy ruling by the Supreme Court exactly one year ago, Gbajabiamila said it is a work in progress and it would be perfected with time.
Gbajabiamila said, “The ruling was welcome by everybody. It’s the execution of that ruling and the implementation of that ruling that we are still trying to dot the Is and cross the Ts.
“I believe in a matter of time, we will realise full autonomy. There cannot be effective governance without full autonomy. That’s what we are working toward.”
In July 2024, the Supreme Court granted autonomy to all the 774 local government areas in the country following a suit filed by the federal government through the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation but the judgement is yet to be fully implemented.
The Senate had after the judgement last year asked state and local governments to immediately comply with the Supreme Court judgement, particularly relating to local government accounts and the funds given directly to them.
The Senate also resolved to take immediate steps to alter sections of the Constitution to give full autonomy to local government administration in the country.
The resolution was announced by the Deputy Senate president, Senator Jibrin Barau, Lawmakers upon reconvening from a closed door session where the Chamber debated attempts by some state governments to circumvent the ruling of the Supreme Court on July 11.
