By Divine Ihechimerem
Public Policy Expert, Dr. Ade Dosunmu has hailed Thursday’s landmark ruling of the Supreme Court of Nigeria which affirmed the autonomy of local governments.
He said the decision was overdue and timely.
In a statement made available to Daily Review Online, Dosunmu said the judgement is a crucial step in ensuring the delivery of democratic dividends to the grassroots across Nigeria’s 774 local governments.
Dosunmu emphasized the significance of this decision in Nigeria’s history, highlighting its role in establishing a well-structured federal system that guarantees the independence of each tier of government, similar to other federal jurisdictions worldwide. He urged state governors to accept the ruling in good faith, viewing it as a necessary sacrifice for the advancement of democracy.
To local government chairmen, Dosunmu issued a call for increased accountability and dedication, reminding them that with greater autonomy comes greater responsibility. He encouraged Nigerians residing in the 774 local governments to actively engage in civic matters, demanding transparency and monitoring the utilization of allocated funds and implementation of projects.
Dosunmu also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his bold and audacious initiative that led to this historic judgement, praising the President for opening new opportunities for Nigerians as the country continues to consolidate its democratic journey.
“The importance of this decision at this time in our history cannot be overemphasized,” Dosunmu stated. “It guarantees the delivery of the dividends of democracy to the grassroots and sets the stage for a more accountable and efficient local government system.”
This landmark judgement is expected to have far-reaching implications for the governance and development of local communities across Nigeria, heralding a new era of local government autonomy and civic engagement.