Nasarawa backs S’Court’s judgment on LG Autonomy 

The Nasarawa State government has declared its support for Thursday’s Supreme Court judgment which granted full autonomy to the 774 Local Government Areas in the country.

This was contained in a press statement made available to Journalists in Lafia on Friday by the State’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Labaran Magaji.

According to the statement, the autonomy granted to the LGAs, would enhance democracy at the grassroots level and empower local authorities to make decisions that would have a positive impact on the residents.

The statement reads, ” I, Labaran Shuaibu Magaji Esq, the Honourable Attorney-General of Nasarawa State, wish to express our profound appreciation for the landmark judgment delivered by the Supreme Court in Suit No: SC/CV/343/2004, which grants autonomy to local governments.

“This judgment marks a significant milestone in the evolution of our democracy and the protection of local government funds from undue interference.

“Under the visionary and transparent leadership of Engr. Abdullahi Sule FNSE, Nasarawa State welcomes this decision as it aligns with our commitment to uphold the principles of democracy, transparency, and good governance at all levels of government.”

The statement added that, “The democratic set-up at the local government level as well as the non-tampering with local government fund, which characterized our government will ensure that resources meant for grassroots development are utilized for the benefit of our people.

“The autonomy granted to local governments by the Supreme Court will undoubtedly enhance the democratic setup at the grassroots level, empowering local authorities to make decisions that directly impact the lives of the people they serve.

“This decision reinforces the principles of federalism and strengthens the foundation of our democratic system.

“In Nasarawa State, we will study the letters of the judgement and set machinery in motion even as we are fully committed to supporting and implementing the judgment to ensure that our local governments operate independently, transparently, and accountably. We believe that this autonomy will lead to greater efficiency, improved service delivery, and increased development at the grassroots level.”

The Nasarawa State AGF further called on all relevant stakeholders, including local government officials, civil society organisations, and the general public to support the judgment and work together towards harnessing its positive effects for the benefit of the entire residents of the state.