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FG Drags 36 Governors To Supreme Court Over LGAs Autonomy
The Federal Government has instituted a legal action against the governors of the 36 states of the federation at the Supreme Court over alleged misconduct in the administration of Local Government Areas.
The suit filed by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, is seeking full autonomy for all local government areas in the country.
In suit, the Federal Government specifically prayed the court to issue an order, prohibiting state governors from embarking on unilateral, arbitrary and unlawful dissolution of democratically elected local government leaders.
The governors of the 36 states were sued through their respective Attorneys General.
The suit is also asking for an order permitting the funds standing in the credits of local governments to be directly channelled to them from the federation account in line with the provisions of the constitution as against the alleged unlawful joint accounts created by governors.
The Federal Government also prayed the Supreme Court for an order stopping governors from further constituting caretaker committees to run the affairs of local governments as against the constitutionally recognized and guaranteed democratic system.
It equally applied for an order of injunction restraining the governors, their agents and privies from receiving, spending or tampering with funds released from the federation account for the benefits of local governments when no democratically elected local government system is put in place in the states.
In the 27 grounds it listed in support of the suit, the Federal Government argued that Nigeria, as a federation, was a creation of the 1999 Constitution as amended, with the president as head of the federal executive arm, swearing on oath to uphold and give effects to provisions of the constitution.
The Federal Government told the apex court that the governors represent the component states of the federation with executive governors who have also sworn to uphold the constitution at all times.
It holds constitution of Nigeria recognizes federal, states and local governments as three tiers of government and that the three recognized tiers of government draw funds for their operation and functioning from the federation account created by the constitution.
“That by the provisions of the constitution, there must be a democratically elected local government system and that the constitution has not made provisions for any other systems of governance at the local government level other than democratically elected local government system.
“That in the face of the clear provisions of the constitution, the governors have failed and refused to put in place a democratically elected local government system even where no state of emergency has been declared to warrant the suspension of democratic institutions in the state.
“That the failure of the governors to put democratically elected local government system in place, is a deliberate subversion of the 1999 constitution which they and the president have sworn to uphold.
“That all efforts to make the governors comply with the dictates of the 1999 constitution in terms of putting in place, a democratically elected local government system, has not yielded any result and that to continue to disburse funds from the federation account to governors for non-existing democratically elected local government is to undermine the sanctity of the 1999 constitution.
That in the face of the violations of the 1999 constitution, the federal government is not obligated under section 162 of the constitution to pay any state, funds standing to the credit of local governments where no democratically elected local government is in place.”
The Supreme Court has fixed May 30 for hearing.
No fewer than 40,000 families may benefit from the Aliko Dangote Food Intervention Programme.
Borno State Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum said the donation of 40,000 bags of 10kg rice to the people of Borno State by the Aliko Dangote Foundation(ADF) will help cushion economic hardship in these families.
The Governor made the statement at the flag-off of the Food Intervention Programme on Wednesday in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.
The Aliko Dangote Foundation penultimate week commenced the distribution of one million bags rice worth N16billion across the 774 local government areas in Nigeria.
The Governor was represented by the Director General of Borno State Emergency Management Agency(SEMA) Mr. Ali Abdullahi Isa.
He said: “Today marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to alleviate the suffering of our people, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan.”
The Governor said the generous donation is a testament to the Foundation’s commitment to supporting vulnerable communities and promoting social welfare.
“We are deeply thankful to Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the entire foundation for their kindness and philanthropy.
”He urged the people of Borno State to continue to pray for peace, stability, and prosperity of the state and country.
In his early remarks, representative of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Mr. Usman Muhammad, said the gesture is aimed at supporting government effort, adding that the Foundation focuses on improving the living conditions of Nigerians.
Mr. Muhammad said the donation is targeted at the poor and the vulnerable persons in the State.
A beneficiary, Ms Aisha Modu, 50, said as a displaced person, the donation of rice by the ADF will go a long way in alleviating her economic hardship.
In the same vein, another beneficiary, Umaru Aliyu, 60, said he will use the rice to feed his six children, while praying God to continue to bless the chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed condolences to Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, wife of the late former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, over the passing of her daughter, Mrs. Bisola Kola-Daisi.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described the death as an unexpected and heartbreaking loss.
“In a poignant conversation with the bereaved mother on Thursday, President Tinubu conveyed his deep sympathy to the family during this time of profound loss, acknowledging the unexpected and heart-wrenching departure of a cherished daughter, devoted wife, and mother of three,” the statement read.
The President also extended his prayers and support to Mrs. Kola-Daisi’s husband, family, friends, and associates, describing the deceased as warm-hearted, industrious, and charitable.
Highlighting her achievements, Tinubu noted her contributions as a successful businesswoman and trusted public servant.
“Her wise counsel in budgeting and finance was invaluable,” the statement added.
Tinubu prayed for divine comfort and strength for the bereaved family while asking God to grant the deceased eternal rest.
“President Tinubu prayed for Almighty God’s grace to receive her soul and provide comfort and strength to her survivors,” Onanuga stated.
Mrs. Kola-Daisi’s passing has been met with widespread condolences from family, friends, and political associates, many of whom have described her as a compassionate leader and dedicated professional.
News
Governor Oyebanji Raises State’s monthly Subvention By N438.9 million
Similarly, the Governor has also approved payment of the outstanding 2020 leave bonus to local government workers
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has approved a major increment in the monthly subvention to the Judiciary and the legislative arm of government as well as the subvented institutions in the state.
The increment which amounts to N438.9 million monthly is to enable the institutions take care of the new minimum wage and the attendant consequential adjustment for workers.
In a statement,Olayinka OyebodeSpecial Adviser (Media) to the Governor, disclosed that the
beneficiaries of the increment include the Ekiti State Customary Court of Appeal, Ekiti State High Court of Justice; Ekiti State Judicial Service Commission, and Ekiti State House of Assembly Service Commission.
Others are Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, (EKSU); Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH); Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI), Ikere Ekiti; Ekiti State Polythecnic, Isan Ekiti; College of Health Technology, Ijero-Ekiti and Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and associated Institutions.
Similarly, the Governor has also approved payment of the outstanding 2020 leave bonus to local government workers, in fulfilment of his promise to defray all outstanding entitlements of workers inherited from previous administrations.
While restating the commitment of his administration to the wellbeing and welfare of workers and retirees, Governor Oyebanji says efforts are being made to ensure payment of all outstanding entitlements including gratuities in line with the continuity and shared prosperity agenda of the government.
He urges workers in the state to remain focused on excellent service delivery and to see themselves as strategic stakeholders in the Ekiti Project.
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