Leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), South East zone, has described the recent Supreme Court judgment that granted financial autonomy to local government areas across the country, as evidence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu delivering his campaign promises to Nigerians.
They noted that the autonomy, if fully implemented, will discourage rural-urban migration and increase job opportunities for Nigeria youths.
Tribune Online gathered that the association reacted following the ruling delivered last week by the Supreme Court, declaring that Local Governments should independently manage their funds, free from state government’s control.
The judgment ordered the Federal Government to allocate funds directly to the 774 local government councils, reinforcing the democratic structure at the grassroots level and eliminating the undue influence of State Governors.
Speaking further in an interview with Journalists in Awka, the Anambra State capital, on Tuesday, the MACBAN’s National Deputy Director-General, Gidado Siddiki, also described the ruling as a welcome development.
According to Siddiki, “While we welcome the Supreme Court’s judgment on local government autonomy, we also envision that local government chairpersons, as heads of their respective areas, should uphold justice and fairness to all irrespective of tribe, ethic and religion affiliations.
“They should establish frameworks ensuring every Nigerian can live and conduct business freely across the country without hindrance.
“We also anticipate fairness in their governance if they assume power.”
Siddiki equally used the interview to appeal to the government of the South East and the leaders of their host communities to also recognise them as strategic stakeholders and refrain from unfounded attribution of wrongdoing to every herdsman.
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