Eshioromeh Sebastian in Abuja
The Labour Party (LP) has issued a stark and urgent demand to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, calling for immediate executive action to enforce the Supreme Court’s judgment on Local Government autonomy.
This is even as it called for the probe of an alleged “executive lawlessness” of Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.
In a statement signed by the party’s National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Dr. Arabambi Abayomi (FBAU), the LP expressed “serious concern” over the “persistent and wilful subversion of local government autonomy by state governors across the federation, in direct contempt” of the apex court’s landmark ruling of July 11, 2024.
The party’s call comes amidst what it describes as a dangerous gap between presidential acknowledgement and concrete action.
“The recent remarks by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, acknowledging the necessity for an Executive Order to compel compliance, while welcome, have not been met with corresponding action. We therefore call for immediate and decisive presidential intervention to end this debilitating practice,” the statement read.
Citing the Supreme Court’s unequivocal affirmation of the constitutional imperative for direct allocations from the Federation Account to Local Government Councils, the LP lamented that governors, “particularly those of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC),” are treating the order with “open disdain.”
“This not only disrespects President Tinubu, who has steadfastly championed local government autonomy… but also represents an affront to the Apex Court,” Dr. Abayomi stated.
The Labour Party singled out Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun for particular criticism, using his recent presentation of vehicles to Local Government Chairmen as a focal point. The party described the act not as generosity, but as evidence of a deeper constitutional crisis.
“This raises a critical question. If these chairmen are indeed receiving their full, constitutionally-mandated allocations, why would they depend on the governor for essential operational resources?, the statement posed.
“This action reinforces the perception of Local Governments as subordinate entities, reliant on state level benevolence.”
Dr. Abayomi condemned this model as “unacceptable,” arguing that it “breeds corruption, stifles local initiative, and impoverishes our communities.” He elaborated: “When a governor procures vehicles and distributes them at a value open to question, it replaces transparent procurement with opaque patronage. It is a system designed to keep Local Government Chairmen subservient, accountable to the governor rather than to the electorate.”
To break this “entrenched impunity,” the LP presented a direct, two-fold demand to President Tinubu.
First, it urged the President to “immediately sign an Executive Order mandating the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to bypass state governments and remit all Local Government allocations directly to the accounts of the duly elected Local Government Councils.”
“The President’s own acknowledgment that he holds ‘the knife and the yam’ must now translate into action that cuts through this entrenched impunity,” the statement declared, warning that “further delay is an affront to the Supreme Court and a betrayal of the millions of Nigerians.”
Secondly, in a dramatic escalation, the party implored the President “to exercise his executive authority.” It stated: “A decisive declaration of a state of emergency is now imperative to serve as the ultimate deterrent against any future acts that undermine our nation’s constitutional framework and the rule of law.”
Looking ahead to the next election cycle, the Labour Party issued a stern warning to Governor Abiodun and other non-compliant governors, while making a significant campaign pledge.
“Ogun State come May 29th 2027 with Dr Segun Showunmi P.hd as Governor of Ogun State under Labour Party administration is resolutely committed to good governance and accountability,” the statement promised. “We promise the people of Ogun state that we will respect the rule of law and abide by all extant Judgment of Supreme Court.”
The party vowed that a Labour administration would “not hesitate to institute comprehensive and forensic probes into the local government funds management of previous administrations.” It promised that “all anomalies, including questionable transactions, inflated contracts, and the diversion of funds meant for grassroots development, will be thoroughly investigated, and those found culpable will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Backing its words with the threat of legal action, the Labour Party announced it has “directed our legal team in collaboration with reputable civil society organisations to prepare a comprehensive dossier for the EFCC, detailing the financial allocations of local governments.”
It served a final notice to Local Government Chairmen, stating, “Each Local Government Chairman will be held individually responsible and must prepare to present verifiable records of expenditure and project execution. This is a non-negotiable demand for transparency and a final warning before legal actions.”
Concluding, Dr. Abayomi reaffirmed the party’s core principle: “Local Government autonomy is not a privilege to be granted by governors; it is a constitutional right. It is the bedrock of true development. We stand with the Nigerian people in demanding that this right be respected. The President must act now to enforce the law, protect our democracy, and liberate the local governments from the shackles of overbearing state governors.”
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