Otunba Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju Commends Supreme Court Judgement.
Otunba Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju, the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ondo State House of Assembly and Honorable Member Representing Ondo West Constituency 1, has praised the recent Supreme Court judgement.
“The Supreme Court has, by this latest constitutional judgment, expressed the view held publicly and privately by most lovers of our democratic system of governance, including myself.”
He continued, “With this landmark decision and pronouncement, the Supreme Court has effectively amended (this is how it should ideally be interpreted) the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to allow LG funds to be released directly to their accounts by FG monthly.”
“Fortunately, the NASS, who by law have the locus standi to criticize such a decision as an encroachment on their duties as legislators, have aligned with the reasoning of the judgment, thereby giving it all the moral legitimacy it needs in the eyes of the public. From the feedback we’ve seen, the decision was the right one for these times.”
“Notwithstanding, I strongly believe that the FAAC management team, as a way of providing a soft landing for some State Governors, may unofficially give the Governors a strict grace period to conduct proper LG elections in their respective states. In my opinion, only such back channel arrangement by both parties may allow States or Unelected LG caretakers access funds during this grace period”.
“Our democracy needs to grow with each of the three tiers of government doing their part. Now, the 774 LG elected authorities (LCDAs are not recognized in the constitution or by the FG) have no reason to ignore their duties to the electorate. Long live the Nigerian Judiciary! Long live Democracy! Long live Nigeria”, he concluded.
Abimbola Sodiq Oyetunde
Special Assistant to Otunba Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju
(Media & Publicity)
July 13, 2024.
