This post has already been read at least 1125 times!
A governance advocacy platform, Legislative Watch, operating under the banner of Crincard and Cari Nigeria Limited, has raised alarm over what it described as persistent and deliberate disobedience to multiple Supreme Court judgments affirming the autonomy of Nigeria’s 768 Local Government Areas (LGAs), warning that the trend poses a grave threat to democracy and the authority of the judiciary.
In a press statement issued on recently, and signed by its Executive Secretary and Chairman, Hon. Ngozika Ihuoma, the organisation expressed deep concern over the continued refusal by both the Federal Government and the 36 State Governments to comply with landmark rulings of the Supreme Court of Nigeria mandating direct allocation of Federation Account funds to Local Governments.
The group particularly referenced the Supreme Court judgment of July 11, 2024, which directed that funds from the Federation Account be paid directly to the 768 LGAs. According to the statement, despite the clear provisions of Section 162(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the directive has not been implemented.
Legislative Watch maintained that the continued failure to comply with the judgment undermines constitutional order and weakens the authority of the judiciary, warning that such actions threaten the survival of Nigeria’s democratic system.
The statement also highlighted another Supreme Court ruling delivered on December 5, 2025, in the case between Osun State and the Federation, which reaffirmed that Local Governments must receive their constitutional share of Federation Account funds without interference from State Governments.
According to the statement, several attempts were made to secure compliance through submissions to key federal institutions. These included engagements with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation-led Implementation Committee in October 2024, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation in February 2025, the Central Bank of Nigeria in February 2025, and the Presidency in November 2025. The group said none of these engagements yielded tangible results.
Rather than comply, Legislative Watch alleged that several state governors across party lines have continued to disregard the court’s authority by suspending elected Local Government chairmen, diverting constitutionally protected funds, and issuing directives it described as unlawful.
It further accused federal agencies of worsening the crisis by imposing conditions such as demanding audited accounts of the Federation Account, which it argued is not legally subject to audit.
The organisation described the trend as more than administrative negligence, labelling it a direct assault on the rule of law. It added that senior lawyers, diplomats, and opinion leaders have repeatedly warned that disregard for Supreme Court rulings erodes democratic foundations and undermines constitutional governance.
Legislative Watch also criticised the Nigerian Bar Association, accusing it of failing to discipline erring members, including State Attorneys-General allegedly involved in violations of constitutional provisions.
Hon. Ihuoma called for urgent action and consequences, stressing that continued disobedience of Supreme Court judgments by both federal and state authorities is intolerable. He said such defiance constitutes a direct attack on democracy, the rule of law, and Nigeria’s constitutional framework, urging immediate measures to restore judicial sanctity, protect Local Government autonomy, and safeguard democratic governance.
The statement further challenged the Nigerian Labour Congress to rise above sectional interests and defend Local Government workers. It noted that despite thirteen Supreme Court judgments since 1982 affirming Local Government autonomy, funding, and responsibilities, the labour body has allegedly failed to adequately protect workers under the National Union of Local Government Employees and the Nigeria Union of Teachers, even while collecting check-off dues.
Hon. Ihuoma argued that the failure to enforce these rulings has contributed to grassroots underdevelopment and social vices, including armed robbery, unemployment, kidnapping for ransom, banditry, and activities attributed to unknown gunmen.
Legislative Watch further stated that the challenges faced by labour leadership under hostile state administrations, particularly in Imo State, should have triggered unified resistance in defence of democratic principles. Instead, it alleged that the labour movement has operated in silos.
The statement called on the Nigerian Labour Congress, the Nigerian Bar Association, and the Office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria to act decisively to defend the Constitution, enforce Supreme Court judgments, and ensure full Local Government autonomy.
It warned that only through strict adherence to judicial pronouncements can Nigeria preserve its democratic system and restore public confidence in the judiciary, which it described as the last hope of the common man.
This post has already been read at least 1125 times!
About the Author
Discover more from The Street Reporters Newspaper
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
