Atiku slams Tinubu over alleged defiance of LG autonomy ruling

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has launched a sharp critique of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, accusing the presidency of a deliberate and calculated refusal to implement the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment on local government financial autonomy.

In a pointed statement released via his official Facebook page, Atiku argued that the administration’s failure to ensure direct funding to local government areas from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) is not a logistical hiccup, but a strategic choice.

Atiku highlighted that by July 2026, the administration will have bypassed the apex court’s ruling for two full years. He alleged that the presidency is holding back the enforcement of the law to exert political pressure on state governors, particularly those in the opposition, to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Addressing the President directly, Atiku wrote: “This is not delay. It is defiance. Your refusal to act is a calculated political move—using obedience to the law as a bargaining chip for partisan advantage.”

The former Vice President emphasized that the real victims of this executive “stalling” are the ordinary citizens. He argued that by blocking direct financial control at the local level, the federal government is effectively paralyzing essential services like primary healthcare and rural infrastructure.

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Atiku challenged the notion that this move only affects the political power of governors: “By denying local governments their financial autonomy, you are not weakening governors; you are punishing communities and worsening hardship at the grassroots,” he stated.

Atiku dismissed the need for further executive deliberations or political maneuvers, stating that the path forward is legally clear. He urged the President to prioritize his constitutional oath over political dominance and to empower the Attorney-General to act.

“The solution is simple: instruct the Attorney-General to enforce the judgment immediately. Anything short of this is a failure of leadership,” Atiku insisted.

Closing his statement, Atiku warned that prioritizing party interests over the Supreme Court’s finality sets a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy. He noted that the public is closely watching how the administration balances political gain against its legal responsibilities.

“Nigeria deserves leadership that obeys the law it swore to protect, not one that bends it for political gain,” Atiku added, concluding with a warning that history and the Nigerian people would hold the administration accountable for this period of inaction.

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