. Senator warns battle not over, Govs’ll fight back
. Assures National Assembly’ll amend constitution
. Says ‘we’ll compel state govts to adhere strictly to Supreme Court judgement’
Senator representing Kogi West, Sunday Karimi, says the battle for local government autonomy is not over, warning that some Governors will fight back.
Senator Karimi while addressing newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, said the National Assembly will amend the constitution to address contentious issues, including the conduct of local government elections.
The lawmaker said the National Assembly would do so to ensure that state governments strictly adhere to the judgement.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court had ruled that it was unconstitutional for state Governors to hold funds allocated for local government administrations.
The apex court also granted autonomy to the local councils, following a suit filed by the Federal Government on the matter.
Senator Karimi in his reaction to the judgment, said, “These include grey areas like the transfer of the responsibility of the conduct of elections to the local councils from the various state electoral bodies to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Some state governors will fight back. President Tinubu allowed the judiciary a free hand to operate in this particular instance, irrespective of the fact that he is but a first term President who may desire a comeback in 2027.
“I thank Mr President for mustering the courage to do the right thing. Since 1999, the third tier of government literally speaking, has been nonexistent. State governments treated them as appendages of the state governments. No President, has been able to change that.”
Karimi said President Tinubu had made history following the “landmark judgement” on financial autonomy for local government areas.
