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LG Autonomy: Respect Supreme Court judgement, Akpabio tells govs
Akpabio
IduwiniVoice
LG Autonomy: Respect Supreme Court judgement, Akpabio tells govs
Akpabio
— Impossibility has become reality – Speaker
— LGAs emancipated — AGF
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, advised state governors on Thursday to respect the Supreme Court judgement that granted autonomy to the 774 local government areas in the country.
This is as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Trajudeen Abbas, has described the judgment as an impossibility that has become a reality.
Speaking to State House correspondents after meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Akpabio said, “Recall that the request was placed before the courts by the AGF because the Federal Government, through President Bola Tinubu, feels strongly about separation of powers and the need for autonomy of all arms of governments.
“And so for us in the legislature, the Supreme Court has spoken, and we have no option but to abide by the Supreme Court ruling.
“So, I will just call on all states of the federation to respect what the Supreme Court has done, and then we will go back to the legislature and see where we can dot the i’s and cross the t’s to ensure full implementation.
“Because you know the words of the Supreme Court are like the words of the king, they cannot go down to the ground without implementation.
“So I think this is a great day for democracy, and I congratulate the president for this initiative. And I know that all Nigerians now know that local government administration is an arm of government meant for the grassroots, and their money should be for the grassroots.
“And definitely, local governments can now undertake projects on their own. So it’s a great day for democracy and the beginning of great things to come.
“What will you be telling governors who seem not to conduct elections at local government level?
“I have seen the judgement; I will study the judgement. But at the same time, I advise there should be an impartial election at the local government level so that all the political parties can participate.
“At the moment, there’s a lot of lethargy and nonchalant attitude by many political parties whose parties are not in power at the state level, they hardly partake in local government elections because of the perceived bandwagon effect and all that.
“So, it’s a great thing that the Supreme Court has done the needful, and now we have to go back and think, working with the AGF’s office and the parliament to see how we can ensure that there’s real election at the LG levels.
“I think once that is done, everybody will have confidence. It’s progress for democracy, and that is how it should be. So we congratulate the justices of the Supreme Court, and we in the parliament are determined to make sure there’s enforceability.”
Describing the judgement as an impossibility that has become a reality, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Trajudeen Abbas, said, “The members have been very happy because history has been made. This is an issue that has been before the parliament for the past twenty years.
“All the constitutional amendments that were so far carried by the National Assembly, one aspect of it has always been local government autonomy—how to make the LG work independently.
“Today, that impossibility became a reality; everyone is happy, and we are looking forward to LGs that will work functionally and that will be able to work on their own and extend goodwill to their own people undisturbed by the excesses by the state governors.”
On his part, the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, said, “Naturally, one will be happy, should be happy; Nigerians are happy about it.
“I call it local government emancipation judgement because it has really emancipated the local government from the shackles of the past, and I hope that local government officials will look at it as an opportunity to develop their various local governments.”
On how to ensure compliance with the part of the judgment that requires state governments to conduct elections for government areas, he said:
“The ball is in the court of the governors; let us see what they will come out with, but the judgment is clear as to what they should do; the judgment is clear as to what consequences will be attached to failure or refusal to follow the judgment of the Supreme Court, which takes immediate effect.”
© Culled from Vanguard News 2024
HIGH CHIEF SUNNY GBEGHA JP CELEBRATES DAUGHTER’S ACADEMIC MILESTONES
By: Daire Perez
Okija, Anambra State – Father and community leader, High Chief Sunny Gbegha JP, the Egbakarewei of Iduwini Kingdom, Delta State, has expressed immense joy and gratitude to God as his daughter, Miss Gbegha Tamarauikiye Favour, successfully completed notable academic milestones at Madonna University, Okija.
Miss Favour graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Degree in Banking and Finance, earning an impressive Second-Class Upper (2.1) classification. Going a step further in her academic pursuit, she has also obtained a Master of Science (M.Sc.) Degree in Banking and Finance from the same institution.
This has received warm reactions from family and friends with many congratulating the young lad. I a message filled with joy, High Chief Gbegha described his daughter’s achievements as a testament to hard work, discipline, and divine grace. He noted that her academic excellence brings honour not only to their family but also to the wider community.
Community members, friends, and well-wishers have continued to congratulate Miss Favour for her outstanding accomplishments, celebrating her as an inspiration to young scholars across the region.
IduwiniVoice joins in this congratulations to our shining young lady.
(c) IduwiniVoice
By: Divine Perezide
Former leader of Burutu Legislative House, Rt. Hon. Joseph Alubeze, has expressed heartfelt birthday felicitations to the his former boss and leader, Rt. Hon. Julius Gbabozor Pondi, Member Representing Burutu Federal Constituency and the Chairman, House Committee on the South-South Development Commission.
In his congratulatory message, Alubeze described Pondi as an astute leader whose antecedent smarcks of nothing but people-oriented service and dedication that continue to inspire many within and beyond the Constituency.
“Happy Blessed Birthday to you, my Dear Leader, Rt. Hon. Julius Pondi – Member Representing Burutu Federal Constituency and Chairman, South-South Development Commission,” he started.
He prayed for renewed wisdom, strength, and greater achievement for the federal lawmaker as he marks a new year. “May this new year of yours be filled with wisdom, strength, and greater accomplishments as you continue to serve with dedication and grace,” he added.
Hon. Alubeze, a former leader of Burutu House wished his principal Pondi, whose was his predecessor, many more fruitful years in good health, acknowledging his commitment to the advancement of the South-South region and the nation at large, closing his message with a heartfelt best wishes to the celebrant on his special day.
News
Good News: Presidential Amnesty Office Commences Second Phase of Laptop Distribution to Scholarship Delegates
By: Divine Perezide
Abuja – The Otuaro-led Presidential Amnesty Office, popularly known as PAP, has commenced the second phase of laptop distribution to its scholarship beneficiaries across Nigerian Universities for the 2024/2025 academic year.
According to a statement signed by Mr. Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, the initiative is part of efforts to enhance learning and research amongst students under the programme.
The exercise, which began following the directive of the Administrator, Chief (Dr.) Dennis Otuaro, makes a continuation of the first phase carried out between April and May 2025, during which over 663 final-year scholarship beneficiaries received laptops.
Dr Otuaro explained that the decision to promoting academic excellence and research productivity. He noted that the gesture also fulfills a promise he made to students during his tour of partner Universities in 2024.
“The laptops are intended to aid the beneficiaries in their studies and research activities” Otuaro state, urging the students to use the devices responsibility and to justify the Federal Governmtent’s modest investment in their education.
He also advised the beneficiaries to remain focus on their academic pursuit and avoid behaviours that could undermine their future prospects.
Reaffirming his administration’s objectives, Dr. Otuaro said the PAP will continue to achieve academic succes, contributing to the socio-economic advancement of the Niger Delta region.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his consistent support for the programme, describing it as a demonstration of commitment to bridging the human capital development gaping the region.
Dr. Otuaro further urged the youths and people of the region to reciprocate the President’s gesture by supporting his administration’s policies and programmes.
He reaffirmed the PAP’s dedication to consolidating on its achievements in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.
(c) IduwiniVoice