2027: Atiku vows direct payment of local government funds if elected president

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has pledged to ensure that funds allocated to Nigeria’s local governments are transferred directly to the councils if he wins the 2027 presidential election.

Atiku said the proposed policy would form part of his broader agenda to strengthen local government autonomy, uphold the rule of law and restore what he described as true federalism in Nigeria.

The former vice president made the commitment in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, in which he referenced the Supreme Court’s July 2024 judgment on the financial autonomy of local governments.

Atiku said his administration, if elected, would respect judicial decisions and ensure that public funds reach the level of government for which they are intended.

“My administration will respect court judgments, protect local government autonomy, ensure that public funds reach the people for whom they are meant, and restore true federalism,” he said.

According to him, granting local governments direct access to their allocations would strengthen their ability to deliver development at the grassroots and respond more effectively to challenges confronting their communities.

He argued that greater financial independence would also help councils address poverty, insecurity and terrorism at the local level.

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“This move will ensure that development is brought to the grassroots, reduce poverty at the level of government nearest to the people, and guarantee financial independence to the local governments which will increase their capacity to fight crimes and terrorism at that level,” Atiku said.

The former vice president also criticised the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing the Federal Government of failing to fully enforce the Supreme Court judgment.

He alleged that the Federal Government had been reluctant to challenge state governors over their control of local government finances.

Atiku further alleged that local government funds could be deployed for political purposes ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The allegation was made by Atiku’s camp and was not independently established in the statement.

The former vice president maintained that political considerations should not override constitutional provisions or judicial decisions, insisting that the government must operate within the framework of established laws and institutions.

“Nigeria must be governed by laws, not by political convenience,” he said.

His pledge comes as debates over local government autonomy, fiscal federalism and the implementation of the Supreme Court ruling continue to feature prominently in Nigeria’s political discourse ahead of the 2027 elections.