President Bola Tinubu has issued a direct call to the 36 state governors of the federation to immediately release statutory allocations to local government councils. This demand aligns with the landmark judgment from the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which granted financial autonomy to all 774 local governments across the country.
President's Firm Stance at APC Caucus Meeting
The president made this fresh demand while addressing the 14th national caucus meeting of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The meeting was held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja on Thursday, December 18, 2025.
President Tinubu maintained that the local government areas cannot experience genuine autonomy if they do not directly receive their funds as mandated by the apex court. He urged the governors and all party stakeholders to strengthen their connection with the grassroots and demonstrate flexibility in their actions to support this constitutional implementation.
During his address, the president also touched on the pressing issue of national insecurity. He revealed that he has assured international partners, including the United States and the United Kingdom, that Nigeria will soon establish state police as part of its security architecture.
Supreme Court's Call for Federal Government Action
President Tinubu's directive to the governors comes just days after the Supreme Court itself called on the federal government to ensure the full implementation of its earlier judgment. This judicial reminder occurred during a verdict on a separate suit filed by the Osun state government.
The suit sought to compel the federal government to release local government allocations within the state. While Justice Mohammed Idris upheld a preliminary objection from the Attorney General of the Federation, he used the opportunity to urge the federal government to enforce the court's ruling on fiscal autonomy for all local governments.
Recap of the Landmark Autonomy Judgment
The foundational Supreme Court judgment was delivered in 2024. It declared financial autonomy for Nigeria's 774 local government areas, a move that effectively dismantled the long-standing practice of joint accounts operated between state governments and their constituent local councils.
The court ruled that it is unconstitutional for state governors to fail to conduct elections for local government chairmen and councillors. Consequently, the appointment of caretaker committees by governors to administer local governments was abolished.
To enforce this, the apex court empowered the federal government to withhold the allocation of any local government where democratic elections for the offices of chairman and councillors have not been held. This judgment was aimed at strengthening the third tier of government and ensuring grassroots development.
President Tinubu's latest intervention is seen as a crucial step in translating this legal victory into practical reality, compelling state chief executives to relinquish control over local government finances.
