The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has welcomed the landmark judgement of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
News About Nigeria reports that the court granted full financial autonomy to the 774 local government councils in the country and outlawed the arbitrary dissolution of elected councils.
The party praised the judgement in a statement signed by its publicity secretary, Chief Bemgba Iortyom, and made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Friday.
The PDP hailed the Supreme Court’s decision as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.
The party said the judgement, delivered yesterday, is a significant milestone in the country’s political history, adding that it grants local government councils the financial autonomy they need to function effectively and serve their communities better.
The PDP called on Governor Alia to dissolve the Caretaker Committees in the 23 local government councils in the state with immediate effect.
This complies with the judgement of the apex court, which outlawed the appointment of caretaker committees by state governors.
The party’s statement urged Governor Alia to respect the rule of law and comply with the Supreme Court’s judgement.
This will ensure that democracy is strengthened at the grassroots level and that the people of Benue State benefit from effective local government administration.
The Benue PDP said ”by complying with the judgement, Governor Alia will demonstrate his commitment to democracy and the rule of law.”
The statement said, “PDP Benue aligns with millions of Nigerians who have since been celebrating the judgement across the country as a victory for democracy, as it is apparent that anyone who is against it is directly against democracy in Nigeria and an enemy of ordinary Nigerians.”
“The party affirms its confidence in the judiciary as the last resort for the common man in the country and hails the local government autonomy judgement as solidifying that role of the judiciary.”
The PDP also called on the National Assembly to expedite action on the amendments to the Constitution of the country that are before its chambers to grant full administrative autonomy to the local government tier to make it a full federating unit independent of the domineering powers wielded over it by state governments, which is inhibitive rather than promotive of development at the grassroots.
The party said the governor should recall his promise during the campaigns to grant autonomy to local governments in Benue State, and while he had joined other state governors to oppose the federal government’s quest at the Supreme Court for the same autonomy, he should see the judgement of the apex court as rather offering him a window to make good on that promise.
