Senator Sunday Karimi of Kogi West has said President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly should not be blamed for the slow implementation of the Supreme Court’s 2024 ruling granting local government financial autonomy.
Speaking in Lokoja, Karimi said the federal government demonstrated strong commitment by initiating the case through the Attorney General, which led to the landmark judgment. He noted that under Section 235 of the Constitution, Supreme Court rulings are final and binding, and do not require legislative ratification.
Karimi acknowledged concerns about legislative inertia but said the president and lawmakers are fully behind reforms aimed at empowering local governments. He called on Nigerians to keep advocating, stating that local government autonomy is essential for grassroots development and good governance.
He also affirmed that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas are aligned in their support for implementing the ruling fully.