Senate insists on full autonomy for local governments

The Senate on Wednesday resolved to effect appropriate amendments to the constitution to ensure full autonomy for local governments.

It also urged all states and local governments to comply with the Supreme Court’s judgement on local government financial autonomy.

The resolutions were sequel to the amendment and adoption of a motion sponsored earlier by Senator Tony Nwoye (Anambra State).

Following the confusion generated by the debate on Nwoye’s motion, the Senate went into an emergency closed-door session.

Upon its return from the closed-door session, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, disclosed that it was amicably resolved to insist that all states should take immediate steps to ensure full compliance with the judgement of the Supreme Court.

Senator Tony Nwoye (LP Anambra North), had at the commencement of plenary, risen through orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Rules, to move a motion on the alleged move by some state governments to circumvent the implementation of the judgement through counter laws from their respective state House of Assembly.

Nwoye 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 the state and 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 (APC Imo West), Senator Adamu Aliero (PDP Kebbi Central), raised a constitutional point of order for stoppage of debate on the motion.

Adamu Aliero cited section 287 of the 1999 Constitution which makes Supreme Court Judgement enforceable across the country, to urge the Senate not to overflogged the issue.

In aligning with Senator Aliero, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio threw an additional spanner at the motion, by calling the attention of Senators to section 162 sub-section 6 of the 1999 constitution.

The section, according to Akpabio, created the state and Local Government Joint Account, which has to be amended in paving the 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 a final decision on the motion, the sponsor, Senator Nwoye, hurriedly raised order 42 of the Senate Standing Rules for a personal explanation of the motion. At the same time, Senator Abdulrahman Summaila Kawu (NNPP Kano South) raised a similar point of order.