We’ll Give Them Their Money’ — Tinubu Tells APC Governors to Respect Local Government Autonomy

President Bola Tinubu has vowed to fully implement the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy, warning state governors against interfering with funds meant for councils across the country.

Speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus meeting held on Thursday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu stressed that true autonomy for local governments can only exist if they receive their allocations directly and without obstruction.

The president challenged APC governors to align with the spirit and letter of the apex court’s ruling, insisting that compliance must be both practical and effective, not symbolic.

“Let us equally look at the recent Supreme Court judgement. What can we do with it, and how well can we position our country and our party?” Tinubu asked party leaders at the meeting.

He was emphatic that financial independence is the foundation of local government autonomy.

“To me, local government autonomy must be effective. There is no autonomy without a funded mandate. We will give them their money directly. That is the truth. That is compliance with the Supreme Court,” the president declared.

Beyond funding, Tinubu urged governors to remain deeply engaged in governance at all levels, calling for flexibility, tolerance and responsiveness to grassroots concerns.

“You are in leadership positions that must yield, promote inclusion, tolerate differences and stay involved in what is happening in your states, right down to the local government level,” he said.

The president’s remarks come amid growing national debate over fiscal federalism and grassroots governance, following the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s local councils and reducing state control over their finances.