Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has pledged to ensure that funds allocated to Nigeria’s local governments are paid directly to the councils if elected President in 2027.

Atiku made the commitment in a statement signed and posted on X on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo.

The former Vice President said his administration would uphold the rule of law and guarantee the constitutional independence of all tiers of government, including local governments.

He also referenced the Supreme Court judgment delivered in July 2024, which affirmed the financial autonomy of local government councils, accusing the administration of President Bola Tinubu of failing to fully implement the ruling.

Atiku alleged that the Federal Government’s failure to enforce the judgment was motivated by a desire to avoid confrontation with state governors who had previously exercised control over local government funds.

He said, “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.

“This move will ensure that development is brought to the grassroots, reduce poverty at the level of government nearest to the people, and guarantee financial independence to the local governments which will increase their capacity to fight crimes and terrorism at that level.”

Atiku further alleged that political considerations ahead of the 2027 presidential election had influenced the Federal Government’s position on local government financial autonomy.

According to him, governors were being allowed to retain control of local government funds as an incentive to support President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

“This is not the Nigeria we should accept,” he stated.

The former Vice President’s comments come amid continued debate over the implementation of the Supreme Court’s July 2024 judgment on local government financial autonomy.

PUNCH reported in July that implementation of the landmark judgment remained stalled two years after the ruling, despite N10.48 trillion reportedly allocated to the third tier of government within the period.