Atiku Vows To Enforce Supreme Court Ruling On Local Government Autonomy If Elected

Atiku Abubakar, former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, has promised that his administration would implement the Supreme Court judgment on local government financial autonomy if elected president in 2027.

Atiku made the pledge in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, saying his government would ensure that funds meant for the 774 local government councils are paid directly to them rather than being controlled by state governments.

The declaration comes amid renewed debate over the implementation of the Supreme Court’s July 2024 judgment, which affirmed the financial autonomy of local governments and directed that their allocations from the Federation Account should reach the councils directly.

Atiku Promises Direct Access to Local Government Funds

According to Atiku, respecting the court’s decision would strengthen grassroots governance and ensure that public funds are used for the communities for which they are intended.

He said direct funding would give local governments greater financial independence and improve their ability to provide basic infrastructure, tackle poverty and respond to security challenges at the grassroots.

“My administration will respect court judgments, protect local government autonomy, ensure that public funds reach the people for whom they are meant, and restore true federalism,” Atiku was quoted as saying.

The former vice-president argued that local governments would be better positioned to address problems such as poor roads, insecurity and inadequate social services if they had greater control over their statutory allocations.

Two Years Later, Autonomy Debate Remains Unresolved

The Supreme Court delivered its landmark judgment on July 11, 2024, following a suit filed by the Federal Government against the 36 state governments over the administration and funding of local governments.

The court ruled that allocations meant for local governments should not be retained or controlled by state governments and ordered that the councils should receive their funds directly.

However, implementation has remained a major political and administrative challenge. A July 2026 report found that despite substantial allocations going to the third tier of government, direct payments into local government accounts had reportedly not fully commenced, with local government workers saying the autonomy envisaged by the judgment remained elusive.

Atiku has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of failing to fully enforce the judgment because of political considerations involving state governors. He alleged that governors’ control over local government funds could be politically useful ahead of the 2027 elections. Those allegations are Atiku’s political claims and have not been established as fact.

The Tinubu administration, however, has previously said it is committed to implementing the Supreme Court judgment. In December 2025, President Tinubu called on governors to respect the ruling and stated that his administration remained committed to local government financial independence.

2027 Election Turns Local Government Autonomy Into Campaign Issue

With the 2027 presidential election approaching, local government autonomy is increasingly becoming part of the political contest between the governing camp and opposition candidates.

Atiku’s latest promise seeks to present him as a candidate prepared to confront the longstanding political structure surrounding local government finances. His position also places pressure on the Federal Government to explain why implementation of a Supreme Court judgment remains contentious more than two years after it was delivered.

For millions of Nigerians at the grassroots, however, the real question is not simply which politician promises autonomy, but whether local councils will actually have the financial and administrative independence to deliver roads, healthcare, education, sanitation and other basic services.

As the 2027 political battle gathers momentum, the controversy over local government funds is likely to remain a major campaign issue. OGM News NG will continue to monitor developments surrounding the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment and the competing promises of Nigeria’s presidential candidates.