The Supreme Court last week granted full autonomy to the 774 local government councils in the country.
The same week, the duo of former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the 2023 governorship election in Ebonyi State, Obinna Ogba, joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
These and three other stories we tracked dominated public discourse in the country last week.
1. Supreme Court ruling on LGA autonomy
On July 11, the apex court granted full financial autonomy to the country’s local councils.
The court while ruling on a suit filed by the Federal Government, ruled that it is unconstitutional for state governors to withhold funds budgeted for local government administrations.
Justice Emmanuel Agim, who delivered the lead judgement on the historic ruling, also held that it is unconstitutional for state governments to retain and use allocation meant for the LGAs on their behalf without transferring the same to them as provided in Section 162(3) of the Constitution.
He said: “The dubious practice which has gone on for over two decades was an outright violation of Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.”
Why it matters
The apex court with its landmark ruling has freed the local councils from the grips of the governors who until now were feeding fat on the third tier while the people who were supposed to be the primary beneficiaries at this level of government suffered from the consequences of the rot occasioned by the greed of the few elites.
The development, therefore, means the local councils are now better positioned to deliver on their mandates to the people while the citizens in turn can now hold them accountable for their actions.
2. Anyim, Obinna Ogba join APC
The former Senate President, Pius Anyim, on July 13 dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State.
Anyim switched to the APC with some of his supporters during the grand finale of the APC campaign for the local government election in Abakaliki, the state capital.
He was joined in the APC by the PDP governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, Senator Obinna Ogba, and that of the Labour Party, Chief Edward Nkwegu.
In his remarks at the forum, Anyim said: “The time I wanted this to happen, former Governor Dave Umahi was not ready and the time, he wanted it, it didn’t turn out the way we wanted.
“We, however, thank God that it has worked smoothly as we all are presently under the same roof.”
Why it matters
The defection of the frontline members of the major opposition party to the APC again confirms the long-held assertion of politics as an interest-driven game where previous relationships are quickly cast aside in pursuit of personal goals.
Recalling how politicians who previously jumped ship quickly retraced their steps when things didn’t go according to plan, how things will pan out between the former PDP stalwarts and APC will be of keen interest to Nigerians in the months ahead.
3. Fubara rules out Wike’s loyalists return to Rivers Assembly
The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara on July 11 ruled out the return of the 26 lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the state House of Assembly.
Fubara, who spoke when opinion leaders, women, and youths of Etche and Omuma Local Government Areas led by Ogbakor Etche visited him at the Government House in Port Harcourt, said the lawmakers can never return to the Assembly.
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He insisted that their seats remain vacant despite a court order for them to be reinstated.
The governor said: “Don’t bother about those people who are delusional. They think we are still sleeping. Let me tell you people so that they can hear anywhere they are.
“We all know how they crossed to join APC. And how did they cross? Because of our God. For them to make that mistake, they are gone, and they are gone.”
Why it matters
The governor’s remark is an indication that peace may not return to the Assembly and the state as a whole anytime soon.
The reluctance of all parties in the dispute to embrace peace means the state will continue to convulse for some time and this does not bode well for the Nigerian economy because of the position of Rivers as a key oil-producing state.
The development also reinforced the call for a tougher approach such as an executive order to whip all contending forces into line.
4. PDP suspends National Vice-Chairman, Dan Orbih
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee on July 10 suspended its National Vice Chairman (South-South), Dan Orbih, for alleged anti-party activities.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, who confirmed the suspension in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, said Orbih’s actions and comments on the Edo State governorship primary are not in line with the party’s constitution.
The statement read: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its 588th meeting today, Wednesday, July 10, 2024, considered all issues, including complaints on the activities of the National Vice Chairman (South-South) Chief Dan Orbih concerning the September 21, 2024, Governorship election in Edo State.
“The NWC at the meeting unanimously condemned the embarrassing actions and utterances of Chief Dan Orbih relating to the Edo State Governorship Primary Election of our great Party which actions and utterances are inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) and the demand of his office as a national officer of the Party.”
Why it matters
The suspension of the national vice-chairman may have further thrown a spanner into the works of the PDP concerning its preparations for the governorship election in Edo State.
The development is another sign that the party is heading into the election as a disjointed force and may be staring defeat in the face come September 21.
5. Ndume on Tinubu’s closed-door policy
The Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, on July 10 declared that President Bola Tinubu’s closed-door policy has contributed to the country’s woes.
Ndume, who spoke on the BBC Hausa Service, said even some ministers have been unable to access the President.
He said: “The major problem with this government is that its doors are closed, to the extent that even some ministers cannot see the President, not to mention members of the National Assembly, who do not have the opportunity to meet with him and discuss the issues affecting their constituencies.”
Why it matters
The criticism of the president by a senior member of the ruling party suggests there are cracks within the government and the party itself.
The disaffection by APC members and elders, especially those instrumental to the party’s success in the 2023 elections may spell doom for the party ahead of the next national election.
This coupled with the anger in the land over the hardship occasioned by some of its policies, means the Tinubu administration has a tough battle in its hands in the bid to prolong its stay in Aso Rock beyond 2027.
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