The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu has issued a stern warning to state governors, stating he will consider issuing an Executive Order to ensure compliance with last week’s Supreme Court ruling on local government financial autonomy.
Speaking at the 15th National Executive Committee meeting of the All Progressives Congress in Abuja on Friday, the President said that if governors continue to withhold statutory allocations meant for local councils, he would mandate direct disbursement from the Federation Account Allocation Committee.
“The Supreme Court has ruled definitively: direct allocations must go to local governments. If implementation is delayed, an Executive Order will follow,” Tinubu stated. “I am urging compliance respectfully, but the authority to act is clear.”
The President’s remarks refer to the landmark judgment delivered on July 11, which declared it unconstitutional for state governments to control and manage funds allocated to local councils. The ruling aims to strengthen grassroots governance and administrative independence.
In a firm tone, Tinubu added, “I have the means to ensure this is done. Governors should begin implementation now.”
The warning marks one of the President’s most direct public interventions on the matter since the court’s decision and signals potential federal action to compel state-level adherence.