Wike In Support of Tinubu’s Move for Local Government Autonomy

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has publicly supported President Bola Tinubu's initiative to establish local government autonomy in Nigeria.

Wike expressed his unwavering support during the inauguration of road upgrades in Ushafa, Bwari Area Council, Abuja. He emphasized that he had "no apology" for backing this move and urged residents to hold their local council leaders accountable for their financial allocations.

The push for local government autonomy gained major momentum following a landmark Supreme Court judgment on July 11, 2024, which affirmed the financial independence of Nigeria's 774 Local Government Councils. This ruling was seen as a crucial step towards enabling local governments to manage their finances, collect revenues, and allocate resources without interference from state governments.

Wike highlighted the collaborative efforts between himself and Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, the Minister of State, FCT, with the chairmen of the six area councils of the FCT. He stated, "I have my own allocation; they have their own allocation," underlining the importance of accountability at all levels of government.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, had earlier inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial Committee to enforce the Supreme Court's judgment, ensuring that local governments operate effectively as the third tier of government, free from state encroachment.

This move is also perceived as a strategic political maneuver by President Tinubu to strengthen grassroots support ahead of the 2027 elections, as noted by Ahmed Buhari, a political figure who commented on the implications of the Supreme Court's decision.