By TINA TIMOTHY

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has lauded the Supreme Court ruling affirming fiscal autonomy to local government councils, describing it as "a win for the people of Nigeria" and "a step in the right direction."

Noting that the local governments should be centers of development as one of the three layers of government, the former Vice President on his verified X handle @atiku, on Thursday July 11, 2024, however said that "fiscal autonomy to the local governments should not be limited to revenues from the Federation Accounts, but indeed, should apply to Internally Generated Revenue from the respective local government authorities."

Atiku wrote: "The judgment of the Supreme Court earlier today affirming fiscal autonomy to local government councils in the country is a win for the people of Nigeria.

"The court’s ruling is a step in the right direction and a major corrective action in greasing the wheels of national development across the country.

"The decision by the Federal Government to consolidate disbursements of local councils’ revenues into the state government accounts was a decision that was borne out of politics of hasty compromise.

"I align with the decision of the Supreme Court that the structure of the Nigerian government is portioned in three layers, and of these, the local governments should be centres of development.

"I also share the belief that fiscal autonomy to the local governments should not be limited to revenues from the Federation Accounts, but indeed, should apply to Internally Generated Revenue from the respective local government authorities."

He further lamented that many states are muscling revenues that should be generated by local governments and thereby commended the verdict of the Supreme Court in this regard.

"Many of our states, especially those in the ultra urban areas with high density economic activities, have become notorious in muscling local councils from generating revenue on items that border on motor parks, outdoor advertising, rents and many more.

"The verdict of the court is in tandem with the core functions of the Supreme Court as an arbitration court between and among governments," he added.