Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State said he has, during the week, convened a meeting to discuss the implications of the recent Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy.
At the meeting, the Governor said that local governments in Katsina State already enjoy a significant level of autonomy, reaffirming the state’s commitment to upholding the constitution.
In a statement released Saturday in Abuja by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, said the Governor had asked for the legal implications of the Supreme Court decision.
The Governor said: “I did not call you all today to interpret the judgment. Katsina State is a law-abiding state and will operate under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I have asked the state Attorney General to give me a
full report on the legal implications of the Supreme Court’s decision.”
Governor Radda empathized with the local government chairmen, stating “As you know, I was once the chairman of Charanchi Local Government during the administration of our beloved President Umaru Musa Yar’adua. I was involved in the day-to-day administration of my local government, and I am fully aware of the challenges and pains most of you are facing.
He acknowledged the potential challenges ahead but expressed optimism about the state’s preparedness: “We are facing various socio-economic challenges coupled with insecurity in our frontline local governments. When I took office in 2023, over 20 local governments were ravaged by insecurity. Our concerted efforts have reduced insecurity to the fringes of the frontline local governments.”
While highlighting his administration’s forward-thinking approach to local government administration, Governor Radda noted that the state plan to conduct elections for new local government chairmen at the expiration of tenure of incumbent chairmen. To that effect he said, “We have already carried out party primaries in line with electoral best practices, and some current chairmen will return through a democratic process,
Insha Allah. In this dispensation, we are most likely the only state to transition from one democratically elected local government council to another.”
The Katsina Governor further pinpointed the state’s Community Development Programme, designed to empower local governments by involving communities in identifying and prioritising their needs.
Governor Radda stressed the importance of collaborative governance and the role of the Community Development Programme (CDP): “My message was that if we allow communities to tell us what they need and when, it will make governance more efficient and effective.”
He added, “This programme will need your full support and cooperation now more than ever.”
He noted that “this was to be done by establishing a community centre in every ward, which shall host a community development office for socioeconomic development, a community support office for lives and livelihoods support to the vulnerable, and a community learning
centre to advance academic and moral
knowledge in our communities.
While acknowledging the potential challenges posed by the Supreme Court’s judgment, particularly regarding financial management, personnel matters, and the state’s ongoing development projects, Governor Radda provided specific figures: “Between June 2023 and June 2024, the federal allocation to local governments in Katsina was about 130.1 billion. 66 billion was spent on salaries, 10.1 billion on pensions and gratuities, 12.13 billion on security, 376.6 million on security requests from some local governments, and 4 billion on direct running costs to local government councils.”
He recognised the need for a comprehensive strategy to address the challenges posed by the new ruling: “We must use the coming weeks to review all our existing laws and begin to work on new laws that will harmonise our developmental objectives.” He concluded by announcing the formation of a committee to develop a roadmap: “I have set up a committee comprising of state, local government, and state assembly representatives along with other experts to formulate a way forward.”
He disclosed further that “15.1 billion naira was provided for various projects carried out by the local governments, 360 million for school instructional materials, 1.58 billion for foreign and local scholarships, and 939.8 million towards Hajj.”
He further disclosed that “The local governments expended 6.14 billion on food palliatives, with an additional 3.1 billion in palliative care and salah package paid directly to
local government and LGEA workers. 3.84 billion was used towards purchasing fertilisers and 1.19 billion on agrochemicals. This is not exhaustive but represents monies sent directly to local governments.Joint decision-making is an inseparable part of policy implementation. This is not exhaustive but represents monies sent directly to local governments.”
Also, add that the State already grants autonomy to local government as presented by the financial disbursement. However, joint decision-making is necessary for the development of the entire state.
In conclusion, the Katsina Governor appealed for cooperation and collaboration among all stakeholders to navigate the new realities brought about by the Supreme Court’s decision.