A prominent leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State has issued a strong appeal to Governor Alex Otti, urging him to adhere to the Supreme Court's landmark judgment that grants financial autonomy to local government councils across Nigeria.
APC Chieftain's Direct Appeal to Governor Otti
Prince Paul Ikonne, the APC chieftain, made this call during an interview on Television Continental (TVC) on 23 December 2025. He emphasized that local councils represent a fundamental tier of governance crucial for grassroots development and should not be weakened.
Ikonne stressed the need for Governor Otti to collaborate with President Bola Tinubu to ensure the effective execution of this autonomy. He praised the President's demonstrated commitment to empowering local governance, describing Tinubu's stance as both sincere and courageous, especially considering the significant political influence held by state governors.
"You can see how passionate the President is about ensuring that local councils manage their funds and execute projects that directly impact the people. It was refreshing to see him confront this issue head-on," Ikonne stated.
Warning Against Politicization and Call for Compliance
The party leader cautioned against turning the President's directive into a political tool. He argued that leaders within political parties have a responsibility to guide their members toward supporting essential governance reforms.
"If the President does not speak to governors within his party, who else should he speak to? This situation exposes a deeper challenge of constitutional obedience among some state governments," he added.
Ikonne drew comparisons with states like Lagos and Enugu, where he noted local councils are actively using their allocations to build schools and healthcare facilities. He expressed specific concern about Abia State, alleging that local governments there lack effective control over their statutory funds.
Falana's Legal Perspective on Presidential Powers
In a related development, renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) provided a crucial legal interpretation. Speaking on the Frontline programme on Eagle 102.5 FM in Ilese, Ijebu, Ogun State, Falana clarified that President Tinubu does not require an executive order to enforce the Supreme Court's judgment.
This statement followed President Tinubu's remarks at the APC's National Executive Committee meeting, where he warned governors of a potential executive order to mandate direct fund disbursement to councils if they failed to comply.
Falana was unequivocal: "I'm not sure the President was properly advised on this matter. The Supreme Court has already given a judgment. What is required is compliance, not another executive action."
He explained that the Supreme Court's ruling had already directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation to channel statutory allocations directly to the bank accounts of all 774 local councils. These accounts, he noted, were opened last year in anticipation of the ruling.
The converging calls from a political figure and a legal expert underscore the mounting pressure for state governments to immediately implement the Supreme Court's decision, which is seen as a pivotal step toward revitalizing grassroots democracy and development in Nigeria.
