Atiku Abubakar Promises Direct Funding to Local Governments

Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice-President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election, has pledged to enforce the Supreme Court ruling from July 11, 2024, which mandates that funds allocated for Nigeria's 774 local government areas be paid directly to them, bypassing state governments. In a statement released by his spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, Atiku emphasized that his administration would prioritize local government autonomy to enhance grassroots development.

He criticized President Bola Tinubu's administration for failing to implement the Supreme Court ruling, suggesting that the government avoids confronting state governors to secure their political support for Tinubu's re-election campaign in 2027. Atiku asserted that direct access to local government funds would improve accountability and enable councils to provide essential services, enhance security, and reduce poverty.