The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has issued a stern warning that the Supreme Court's ruling on local government autonomy remains untouchable. He emphasized that no individual or state government has the power to revisit or alter the apex court's judgment. Fagbemi made this assertion during a media interaction in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, making it clear that the decision is final and must be respected by all.
His statement came in response to the recently enacted Anambra State Local Government Administration Law 2024, which has stirred controversy. Governor Chukwuma Soludo defended the new law, citing the complexities of implementing absolute autonomy for Nigeria's 774 local government areas. Soludo argued that complete local government independence could lead to chaos if not properly structured, necessitating a tailored approach to governance at the grassroots level.
However, the AGF dismissed any efforts to alter the Supreme Court's ruling, warning that such attempts would be futile. "Are they going to rewrite the judgment of the Supreme Court?" Fagbemi questioned. "Once we have the full details of their law, we will act accordingly," he added, signaling that the federal government is prepared to respond should the new legislation conflict with the court’s binding decision.
The Supreme Court's ruling on local government autonomy has been a subject of intense debate, with many advocating for its implementation as a way to strengthen grassroots democracy and enhance service delivery. The federal government has consistently maintained that any law enacted at the state level must align with the constitutional provisions affirmed by the Supreme Court. As the situation unfolds, all eyes will be on how the conflict between Anambra's new law and the federal stance on local government autonomy is resolved.
Governor Soludo's comments underscore a broader concern among some state leaders about the practical implications of absolute local government autonomy. Despite these concerns, the federal government, through the AGF, has made it clear that there will be no compromise on the enforcement of the Supreme Court's ruling, setting the stage for potential legal challenges should Anambra's new legislation come into conflict with established constitutional principles.
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