13 States Act Swiftly To Conduct Local Government Polls Following Supreme Court Autonomy Ruling

13 States Act Swiftly To Conduct Local Government Polls Following Supreme Court Autonomy Ruling

Following the Supreme Court’s landmark judgement granting financial autonomy to local government councils, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has instructed newly appointed transition committees to commence duties across the state’s 18 local government areas and 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

The directive was conveyed by Amidu Takuro, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, on behalf of the governor, citing the necessity to prevent any administrative vacuum.

Earlier, the state government, represented by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, defended the appointments, asserting that they were within the governor’s constitutional authority.

Aiyedatiwa recently appointed 357 members to the transition committees shortly after an Ondo State High Court nullified the creation of the 33 LCDAs. Subsequently, the Supreme Court ruled that fiscal allocations should only be disbursed to councils with elected chairmen.

Takuro, addressing the transition committees, acknowledged that several states, including Ondo, are impacted by the Supreme Court’s decision, emphasizing compliance with electoral laws.

He clarified that upon their appointment by the governor, the transition committees began operating immediately without formal inauguration. Takuro also highlighted ongoing negotiations among governors concerning the implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgement, which necessitates procedural considerations.