Atiku Pledges Direct Local Government Funding if Elected

Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President of Nigeria, announced that his administration would ensure that funds allocated to the 774 local government areas from the Federation Account would be paid directly to the councils instead of through state governments. This commitment follows a Supreme Court ruling on July 11, 2024, which mandated that local government allocations should be directly disbursed to them.

Atiku's spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, stated that Atiku would uphold the rule of law and enhance the financial independence of local governments. He criticized President Bola Tinubu's administration for failing to enforce the Supreme Court's decision, alleging that the funds were being withheld to entice state governors to support Tinubu's re-election campaign in 2027.

Atiku emphasized that direct access to funds would improve local governance, enhance accountability, and enable local governments to effectively address security challenges and poverty. He reiterated that restoring local government autonomy would be a key focus of his governance approach.