Some Nigerians have hailed the Supreme Court judgment and described it as a rebirth of the nations democracy that would ensure the desired of democracy and development from the grassroots
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) described the judgment as a welcome development that would return hope to Nigerians as well as the nation’s democracy c
CUPP in a statement issued Thursday by it’s secretary general, Peter Ojonugwa Ameh, in response to the judgment, congratulated Nigerians and the suffering masses in the rural areas for their victory at the Supreme Court.
“By this judgment, the suffering masses have been unshackled financially from the shackles of the governors who have be holding them hostage since the 1999 as a result of their warped interpretation of Section 162(6) of the the 1999 Constitution as Amended.
“With this judgment of the Supreme Court, it is hoped that meaningful development will begin to trickle to,candidate be seen in the rural areas as the inhabitants of all the local governments who hitherto had not have access to their almighty governors will now know who to hold accountable for misappropriated funds accruing to their local government and abuse of office by those in charge of at that level.
“CUPP also hopes that the financial autonomy granted to the local governments by this judgment to be the first step to the devolution of powers shall be accelerated to include fiscal federalism so that every component state in the federation will see the need to think out of the box, go to work, and stop this monthly beggarly allocation to the states and local governments. All states has what it takes to survive on its own and become self sufficient in the generate of resources if the political will is given a priority.”
In the same vein, Chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu described the Supreme Court judgment as iconic judgment which clearly will restore grassroot democracy in Nigeria.
He said; “To me the iconic judgment was pure and simple, it has restored grassroot democracy in Nigeria from Emperor-Governors,
“Today the judgment has also restructured our local government system; therefore I call on all to monitor and ensure the prudent management of the 20.6% Federal Revenue Allocation to local government councils.
‘I commend my Lord Justices of the Supreme and President Tinubu as his perseverance for the autonomy of local government councils has paid off.” Okechukwu opined.
Okechukwu said the Justices of the Supreme Court have restored the People’s collective interest in democracy at the grassroot level and the reinforcement of Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which expressly stated that, the system of democratically elected local government councils is under this constitution guaranteed.
He regretted that for 25 years those he described as “ Emperor-Governors” have violently breached Section 7 of our Constitution by brazen rigging of local councils elections and by extension mismanagement of the 20.6% local government funds; hence dampened the development of grassroot democracy, adding that President Bola Tinubu has by this judgment restructured our local government system
He saluted the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi for the court action which he said was a signpost for renewal of our hope in grassroot democracy via the temple of justice system.