In celebrating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s achievement of returning financial autonomy to the Local Governments, the Africans in Diaspora Chamber of Commerce ( ADICC ) has vowed to support any Nigerian youth between the ages of 25 and 45 years who has the capacity to run for either Local Government chairman or councillor position
In May 2024, the Federal Government through the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, (SAN) filed a suit at the Supreme Court of Nigeria accusing the State Governments of withholding Local Governments Federal allocations.
On July 11, the apex court gave a landmark judgment in favour of the financial autonomy for Nigeria’s 774 local governments.
A seven member panel of the Supreme Court, chaired by Justice Mohammed Garba, disagreed with the position of the State Governments and concluded that the plaintiff’s case had merit.
Speaking on the landmark judgement, President of Africans in Diaspora Chamber of Commerce, Ambassador Dr. Edward Olutoke, said that the Chamber is happy with the ruling as it will enable Local Government Chairmen carry out laudable projects that will be beneficial to their people.
He stated that the concept of democracy is anchored on the fundamental idea of serving the interests of the majority.
“Most people reside in local communities, where they primarily experience the direct impact of government.
“Nigeria, as a federation, subscribes to this idea of democracy as stated in Sections 14(1) and 14(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). Section 14(1) states, “The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a state based on the principles of democracy and social justice.”
“Constitutionally, Nigeria operates a three-tier system of government comprising the Federal, State and Local Governments, with each tier having defined roles to play in delivering the dividends of democracy to the citizens and that’s why we at the Chamber is happy with the judgement and willing to support any youth with the capacity of vying for either chairmanship or councillorship position in any Local Government in the country.
“First and foremost, there’s no federal citizen anywhere, everybody comes from a Local Government before becoming state citizen so we all should go back to make our local communities beautiful. Imagine Omoyele Sowore after attacking the elders, will storm his local government and turn it to a Dubai, Rufai Oseni after abusing everybody, goes to his local and use those ideas he profess everyday to turn the place to New York, Kenneth Okonkwo turning his local government to another Miami, will Nigeria be the way it is?
This is the time for all us to stand up and be counted, let’s seize the moment, let’s create something magical in our local communities, it’s only then the nation of our dreams can be birthed. President Tinubu has given Nigeria the best gift ever. Instead of calling the youths out on the street, let’s encourage and support them to take over the local government administrations to make life better for their generation”.
Olutoke who also doubles as President of Above 50 Football Championship advised any youth interested in the offer to contact the Chamber through their WhatsApp number, +2349098888311 or visit the website www.adicc.org
