President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday warned state governors that he may issue an Executive Order to enforce direct allocation of funds to local governments if states continue to defy the Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to the third tier of government.
The warning was delivered at the 15th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
The Supreme Court, in a landmark judgment on July 11, 2024, upheld the Federal Government’s suit seeking to enforce financial independence for the 774 local government councils nationwide.
In a unanimous decision by a seven-member panel, the apex court ruled that it is unconstitutional for state governments to retain or manage funds meant for local councils.
The court ordered that allocations from the Federation Account be paid directly to local governments in line with Sections 162 (5–8) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), effectively outlawing the long-standing joint account system operated by many states.
Expressing concern that some governors were still withholding council funds, Tinubu warned that continued disobedience could force decisive federal action through the Federation Account Allocation Committee.
“The Supreme Court has capped it for you again, saying, ‘give them their money directly,’” the President said. “If you wait for my Executive Order, because I have the knife, I have the yam, I will cut it.”
He added that his administration had exercised restraint but would not hesitate to act if violations persisted.
“I’m being respectful and understanding with my governors. Otherwise, if you don’t start to implement it, fact after fact, you will see,” he warned.
Tinubu stressed that compliance with the apex court’s ruling was not optional, insisting that respect for the rule of law must prevail.
“The ultimate goal is our Supreme Court. We have to comply. We have to respect the judgment,” he said.
The NEC meeting, which began at 6:05pm, was attended by President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), National Assembly leadership, governors and key party stakeholders.
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Declaring the meeting open, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, dismissed opposition criticism as “shallow,” saying the party was expanding its national footprint despite sustained attacks.
He said the APC’s steady growth and consolidation had unsettled the opposition, even as efforts were made to frustrate the party’s progress.
“Our objective is to strengthen and galvanise party structures at all levels while enhancing strategic preparedness ahead of the next election cycle,” Yilwatda said.
“We are not deterred by shallow criticism. The opposition is uncomfortable with our deliberate effort to build a truly pan-Nigerian party rooted in progressive politics,” he added.
The chairman said the party’s mobilisation drive was aimed at securing future electoral victories and sustaining internal cohesion.
On recent defections, Yilwatda said the influx of governors and political structures had made the APC “more formidable and better prepared,” attracting wider national appeal.
He also praised the party’s dominance in the National Assembly, attributing it to effective leadership and “party evangelism” that has drawn lawmakers from the opposition.
Yilwatda further said the electronic membership registration system would enhance transparency, accuracy and internal democracy, enabling data-driven decision-making.
Earlier, Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, moved a composite motion for the commencement and completion of the party’s e-membership registration, conduct of congresses at ward, local government, state and zonal levels, and the election of national officers.
The motion was seconded by Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and unanimously adopted by NEC members.
Commending Tinubu’s performance amid global economic headwinds, Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, moved a motion endorsing the President for a second term.
The motion, seconded by Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, was unanimously approved by the committee.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate.
Those in attendance included Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and other principal officers of the National Assembly.
All APC governors were present at the meeting.
Also in attendance were six governors who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP): Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno and Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas.
Members of the NWC, state party chairmen, former national chairmen Chief Bisi Akande and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, and other party elders were also present.
