Atiku Abubakar pledges direct payment of local government funds if elected president
Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, has committed to ensuring direct payment of funds to Nigeria's local governments immediately upon assuming the presidency. This pledge, made via his official spokesperson Kenneth Okonkwo, emphasizes upholding the rule of law and constitutional independence for all government tiers. Atiku referenced a July 2024 Supreme Court judgment on local government financial autonomy, accusing President Bola Tinubu's administration of failing to enforce it to avoid conflict with state governors. He stated that his administration would respect court judgments, protect local government autonomy, and ensure public funds reach the intended recipients, thereby fostering grassroots development, reducing poverty, and enhancing local governments' capacity to combat crime and terrorism. Atiku also alleged that the Tinubu administration's stance was politically motivated, aiming to secure support from state governors for the 2027 presidential election by allowing them to retain control of local government funds. PUNCHONLINE reported in July that despite a Supreme Court order two years prior and 10.48 trillion naira allocated to the third tier of government, the implementation of financial autonomy for local councils remains stalled.
