Politics
FG Sues 36 Governors for Alleged Misconduct of LG’S Funds
Israel Adeleke
In a move to reshape the administration of local governance throughout the federation, the Federal Government of Nigeria has taken the Governors of all 36 States to the Supreme Court, demanding full autonomy for Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the nation.
This development was disclosed in a suit filed by the Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, under the case number SC/CV/343/2024.
The suit filed seeks to end what it describes as the governors’ misconduct in the administration of LGAs.
FREEDOM TIMES gathered that the Federal Government used this suit to call for an order from the apex court to prevent state governors from unlawfully dissolving democratically elected local government leaders and to ensure that LGA funds are directly allocated from the Federation Account, bypassing the controversial joint accounts set up by the governors.
Furthermore, the suit requests an injunction to stop governors from appointing Caretaker Committees to manage local governments, which goes against the constitutionally mandated democratic system.
It also seeks to restrain the governors from accessing or spending funds intended for local governments unless a democratically elected system is in place.
This action underscores the Federal Government’s stance that the Constitution of Nigeria, as the supreme law, mandates a democratic system at the local government level.
The suit argues that the governors’ failure to establish such a system is a deliberate subversion of the Constitution.
However, with the Supreme Court scheduled to hear the case on May 30, the Federal Government is urging the court to affirm the obligation of State Governors and State Houses of Assembly to uphold a democratic system at the local government level and to declare any dissolution of democratically elected councils by the governors as unconstitutional.
Fawaz Adebisi
Ademola Adeleke, the governor of Osun State has given consent to the readjustment of workdays for civil servants in the state.
This was made known on Tuesday through a circular from the Office of the Head of Service, Samuel Aina Ayanleye and issued in a statement by Olawale Rasheed, the spokesperson of the Osun State Governor.
As gathered, this is in response to the high transportation costs in Nigeria.
Adeleke made this move few weeks after its neighboring state, Ogun state reduced its civil servants workdays to 3 per week.
However, in addition, the circular stated that Ademola also approved an extension of payment of palliatives for public servants for the next two months.
Also, it stated that the action was in pursuance of Governor Adeleke’s commitment to the well-being of workers, and a response to the present economic situation in the Country.
“By this Circular, therefore, and until another directive is given, the working day schedules for Public Servants in the state have been approved as follows:
“Public Servants on GL.01 to GL.10 – Three days a week. Public Servants on GL12 to GL.17 – Four days a week.”
The Circular further noted that the arrangements exclude those on essential duties such as medical personnel, security officers, political office holders and Accounting Officers.
“It is also important to note that arrangements as to which days each public servant in the above categories will be at work shall be arranged by the Accounting Officers in Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government.
“The Governor has also graciously approved the continuation of payment of the agreed palliatives to public servants in the state for the next two months pending the commencement of the new minimum wage.
“All Accounting Officers of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of governments, including local governments, were further directed to comply.”
Fawaz Adebisi
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has assured Nigerians that normalcy will return to the land, preparing to go into his seven days seclusion.
The monarch, in a statement through his spokesperson, Moses Olafare on Monday said the rite is the most sacred moment for him on the throne which he utilises to interact with his ancestors and pray for the people, the Oduduwa race worldwide, as well as mankind in general.
According to the statement, Ogunwusi stressed that his major request during the rite would be the betterment of the people in the country.
He said,”this time around, I want To pray and seek for the face of our Creator to intervene on the current economic situation.
“Things are very tough and people are feeling the hardship, I want to pray for all and sundry and specially urge the youths to exercise patience so that we will not used our hands to destroy our country.
“I know that people are passing through difficult periods in which they are not finding life easy and truly this is a challenging period.
“But I know that after this festival, normalcy will return to the country, as the problems we’re facing will soon come to an end,” Ooni said.
Also, he urged the government to be diligent in serving the populace by making bountiful dividends of democracy for the citizenry.
Fawaz Adebisi
The Abia State Government has set a date to start implementing the new minimum wage.
Okey Kanu, the state Commissioner for Information revealed on Monday that the minimum wage implantation will kick off by October.
Kanu said this while briefing the press on the outcome of the week’s State Executive Council meeting chaired by the state governor, Alex Otti.
In his words, “will cut across all categories of workers.”
Speaking of other outcomes of the meeting, he stressed that the state government is also set to commence the construction of 17 court halls across the 17 local government areas of the state.
He further disclosed that the state Ministry of Health will next week organise a free medical outreach at Ugwunnagbo.
In the same vein, he added that there would be free medical consultations, maternal and child healthcare services and free diagnostic tests.
-
Exclusive Reports1 week agoEXCLUSIVE: Death Cause, Husband, Children, Last Abode Of Rukayat Gawat-Oyefeso
-
Education1 week agoLack Of Submission To Allah’s Will, Reason For Nigeria’s Suffering, Insecurity — Hon Iyepe
-
Special Report1 week agoMillions Wasted: Ogun Road Still in Ruins Despite Repeated Allocations
-
Business5 days agoAmid Economic Difficulties, Sex Toy Company Reveals Sudden Business Boom In Nigeria