Expert berates Gov Emmanuel for attempting to stop NFIU directive on LG funds

The ruling of Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state on Friday, rejecting the application of the state Government in a suit seeking to stop the implementation of the guidelines on local government funds is generating reactions among political pundits in the state.

The state government had through the Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Uwemedimo Nwoko, including the Chairmen of the 31 local government councils in the state approached the Federal High Court Uyo division seeking the nullification of the guidelines issued by NFIU.

However, Justice A.A Okeke , after hearing the matter Friday, declined granting the request.

Reacting, Mfon Okon an Economic and Public Affairs analyst described state government attempt at frustrating local government areas development through court order as shocking.

He said: “Sadly, with the level decay in both infrastructure and human development witnessed today in rural community, our Council Chairmen who were expected to bring dividend of democracy to the grassroots are joining suit in this deviant conspiracy by rejecting local government autonomy.

“You see, what we failed to understand in Akwa Ibom State is the fact that after politics is governance. It is only governance that will serve as a panacea that can bring dividend of democracy and inclusive government to all sundry.

“In fact, their refusal to accept autonomy granted to them by federal government has proven beyond any reasonably doubt that our Council Chairmen are acting scripts of State State Government, at the detriment of their poor rural community they were elected to serve.

In his reaction, Obong Iniobong John, state chairman of APC national youth caucus, in a statement condemned the action of the local government councils.

He said: “We are dismayed by the evil conspiracy between the Akwa Ibom state Government and the local government chairmen against the autonomy granted the local government by the APC federal government and to us, it is absurdity of the highest order.

“The suit by the Akwa Ibom state Government and the local government chairmen against local government autonomy is the height of open display of disdain for accountability and grassroots development which was the primary essence of the local government system.”

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