Local Government Autonomy: Lagos Assembly Summons Attorney General Over Supreme Court Judgement

By Felix Kuyinu

The Lagos State House of Assembly has requested for the presence of the state’s Attorney General, Lawal Pedro, SAN, on proper sensitization of the autonomy granted to local governments.

In a plenary presided by the Speaker, Honourable Mudashiru Obasa, the legislators disclosed that there is need for understanding of the apex court rulling in relation to the constitution of the country.

This came following the verdict to restrain state governments from overseeing federal government allocations for the local government.

Justice Emmanuel Agbim, at the court on Thursday, ordered that all 744 local governments in the country should get funded directly by the Federal Government, as well as independently overseeing the funds for the development of their respective areas. In addition, the rulling also stated that none of the local government chairmen should be unconstitutionally ejected from their positions.

Sequel to the development, Obasa, said, “There is a need for us to seek clarification and understanding of this judgement. It will be good to invite the Attorney-General to brief us and give his understanding so that we do not run foul of the judgement.”