LG autonomy: Okechukwu rates Supreme Court judgement iconic

Mr Osita Okechukwu has rated the Supreme Court judgment as iconic judgment which clearly will restore grassroot democracy in Nigeria.

“To me the iconic judgment will pure and simple, restore grassroot democracy in Nigeria from Emperor-Governors.
Today the judgment has also restructured our local government system; therefore I call on all to monitor and ensure the prudent management of the 20.6% Federal Revenue Allocation to local government councils.
I commend my Lord Justices of the Supreme and President Tinubu as his perseverance for the autonomy of local government councils has paid off.” Okechukwu opined.

Mr Okechukwu hailed the Justices of the Supreme Court for restoration of our collective interest in democracy at the grassroot level and the reinforcement of Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which expressly stated that, the system of democratically elected local government councils is under this constitution guaranteed.

Okechukwu regretted that for 25 years our Emperor-Governors have violently breached Section 7 of our Constitution by brazen rigging of local councils elections and by extension mismanagement of the 20.6% local government funds; hence dampened the development of grassroot democracy.

He noted that President Bola Tinubu has by this judgment restructured our local government system and
commended Mr President.

He saluted his Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi for excellent suite which is a signpost for renewal of our hope in grassroot democracy via the temple of justice system.

This he said is especially when all efforts made in the past 25 years to grant financial autonomy to local government councils via the amendment of the constitution were blocked by Emperor-Governors.

Going further Okechukwu urged Nigerians from henceforth to rise up and monitor the 20.6% federal allocation to local government councils for prudent use in development of our rural communities.