In a statement shared on his official social media page, Atiku emphasized that the government has failed to implement the Supreme Court’s decision for nearly two years. He described the refusal to comply as a constitutional violation and a breach of the presidential oath.
Atiku argued that denying financial autonomy to local governments weakens governance and development at the community level. He stressed that local governments are the closest tier of government to the people and that withholding their funds exacerbates poverty and stalls progress.
He urged the President to direct the Attorney-General to enforce the judgment without delay, warning that anything less would amount to a leadership failure.
President Tinubu had previously addressed the matter during a meeting of his party’s executive committee, urging state governors to comply with the Supreme Court’s verdict. He hinted at the possibility of issuing an Executive Order to ensure direct allocations to local councils if governors continued to resist.
The Supreme Court’s ruling, delivered in July 2024, affirmed the right of local governments to receive direct allocations from the Federation Account, reinforcing their financial independence.
