LGs Autonomy : Senate tells governors to comply fully with Supreme Court judgement
by Adenle Ahmed Abiola · The Eagle OnlineThe Senate on Wednesday asked the state governors to comply fully with the judgement of the Supreme Court on the autonomy of local governments across the country.
The decision of the Senate was sequel to amendment to the motion sponsored by Senator Tony Nwoye who called the attention of the Senate to the efforts of some governors to circumvent the judgement of Supreme Court on local government autonomy.
The amendment to prayers was sponsored by Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau which lasted for over one hour.
Senate also resolved to ensure alteration for Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to provide for full autonomy for local government councils.
At t the commencement of plenary session, Senator Tony Nwoye rose through orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing rules, to move motion on alleged move by some state governments to circumvent implementation of the judgement through counter laws from their respective state House of Assembly.
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He informed the Senate that nine other Senators were co-sponsored of the motion.
He specifically alleged that some state Governors are already using their House of Assembly to enact laws that would mandate respective local government councils in their states to remit monies into State / Local Government Joint Account ruled against by the Supreme court.
But immediately after finishing with his presentation containing six prayers for enforcement of the judgement and seconded by Senator Osita Izunaso, Senator Adamu Aliero raised a constitutional point of order for stoppage of debate on the motion.
Adamu Aliero cited section 287 of the 1999 Constitution that makes Supreme Court Judgement enforceable across the country, to urge the Senate not to overflog the issue.
“Supreme Court judgement is enforceable across the country. There is no need for us to be debating anything that has to do with it here,” he said.
In aligning with Senator Aliero, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, called the attention of Senators to section 162 sub section 6 of the 1999 constitution.
The section, according to Akpabio, created the State / Local Government Joint Account , which has to be ammended in paving way for full implementation of the Supreme Court Judgement.
“I think what we need to do is to carry out required amendments of certain provisions of the constitution as far as local governments autonomy is concerned,” he said.
But before taking final decision on the motion, the sponsor, Senator Nwoye hurriedly raised order 42 of the Senate Standing Rules for personal explanation on the motion the same time, Senator Abdulrahman Summaila Kawu (NNPP Kano South ) raised a similar point of order.
The simultaneous points of Order forced the Senate President to call for a closed door session to resolve the issue.
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