Ayiri Emami Hails Tinubu’s Leadership On LGC Financial Autonomy

Chief Ayirimi Emami, a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, has commended the Supreme Court’s judgment granting financial autonomy to local government councils (LGCs) in Nigeria.

Speaking to a gathering of APC supporters in Ogunu, near Warri, Emami said: “I am satisfied with the Supreme Court’s decision to grant financial autonomy to local governments. This will help reduce insecurity in the state.”

He urged the government to provide full autonomy to local governments, saying: “We urge the government to provide full autonomy to local governments.”

Emami who has been at forefront of those calling for local government autonomy, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership for ensuring that the apex court grant financial autonomy to local governments, saying: “President Bola Tinubu’s decision to grant financial autonomy to local governments represents a significant achievement. This development will facilitate the effective functioning of the three arms of government”, he added.

He said that it is expected that INEC will soon assume the responsibility of conducting elections at the local government level.

Chief Emami however urged residents to participate in the Saturday July 13 local government election, saying: “Everyone must come out en masse on Saturday to exercise their right to vote.”

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He endorsed Prince Francis Yonwuren, the APC chairmanship candidate, and all APC candidates, saying: “Let’s vote for Prince Francis Yonwuren and all APC candidates.”

Recalls that the Supreme Court had on Thursday declared that state governors’ control over funds allocated to local government administrations is unconstitutional.

In a landmark judgment, the seven-man panel ruled that the 774 local government councils should manage their own funds, emphasizing the importance of autonomy for the third tier of government.

Justice Emmanuel Agim, who delivered the judgment, hadbstated: “The power of government is portioned into three arms – federal, state, and local government. It is unconstitutional for state governors to hold funds allocated for local government administrations.”

The Supreme Court ordered the Accountant General of the Federation to only release funds meant for local government areas (LGAs) to councils with democratically elected chairmen and councillors.

Earlier, the Local Government Chairmanship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Warri South council, Prince Francis Yonwuren, went round different wards to campaign and woo electorates for the Saturday July 13 local government elections.

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The ward-to-ward campaign train of Prince Yonwuren, his Vice Chairmanship candidate, Pastor Kinsley Omonigho, and their team were at Agbarah-Warri before they proceeded to Ekurude Urhobo, Ogunu, and Ugbuwangue.

During the campaign rally, the APC councillorship candidates in the area, Hon. Paul Ojegba of Bowen Ward and Hon. Tejiri Okorefe, of Ogunu and Ekurede Urhobo ward were presented to electorates.