‘It’ll benefit Nigeria’ — RMAFC applauds supreme court’s ruling on LG autonomy

Muhammed Shehu, chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) says the supreme court judgment affirming the autonomy of local government councils was a landmark achievement.

Shehu praised President Bola Tinubu for his remarkable and thoughtful efforts in taking a bold step to ensure the judgment was achieved.

The chairman made the commendation while addressing members of the board and management of the commission at a sensitisation meeting by the RMAFC in Abuja on Friday.

On July 11, the supreme court affirmed the financial autonomy of 774 local governments in the country.

Shehu said the position of local government chairman used to be prestigious.

He said the council chairmen used to make impactful contributions to grassroots development in the past.

Shehu said the RMAFC was solidly behind the supreme court’s decision in enforcing the law on local government autonomy.

“This development is very good for the commission and the grassroots in Nigeria,” he said.

“In the 1970s, local governments were so powerful that a former federal commissioner would return to the local government to contest elections. We believe this is positive for Nigeria.”

Shehu emphasised the need for patience and understanding of the government’s decision, adding that it was beneficial for the nation’s overall good.

He said democratic governance was in the best interest of the country.

Mohammed Abdul, a legal consultant to the commission, urged other tiers of government to adhere to the ruling to promote transparency and accountability for effective service delivery at the grassroots level.