In a decisive move with profound implications for Nigeria’s federal structure, President Bola Tinubu has issued a stark warning to state governors: implement the Supreme Court’s judgment on Local Government (LG) financial autonomy, or face direct presidential intervention. The threat, delivered during the 15th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC), signals a potential constitutional showdown over one of Nigeria’s most persistent governance challenges.
The Core Conflict: A Decades-Old Struggle for Grassroots Governance
The President’s warning is not about a new policy, but the enforcement of a landmark Supreme Court ruling. For decades, the financial strangulation of Local Governments by state governors has been a critical flaw in Nigeria’s democracy. Despite constitutional provisions, state governments have historically controlled LG funds through State Joint Local Government Accounts, often diverting or delaying allocations, which cripples grassroots development and accountability.
The Supreme Court’s judgment, which Tinubu referenced, explicitly prohibits this practice. It mandates that federal allocations meant for the 774 Local Government Areas be paid directly from the Federation Account into their respective accounts, bypassing state coffers. This is intended to empower LGs to execute projects directly relevant to their communities, from primary healthcare and basic education to rural infrastructure.
Tinubu’s “Knife and Yam” Ultimatum: Decoding the Threat
The President’s language was notably vivid and uncompromising. His statement—”I have the knife, I have the yam, I will cut it”—is a powerful Nigerian proverb indicating he possesses both the authority (the knife) and the resource (the yam, i.e., the funds). He outlined a clear two-step process:
- Voluntary Compliance: He urged governors to “start to implement it FAAC after FAAC” (referring to the monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee disbursements).
- Forced Deduction: Failure to comply would result in the Federal Government deducting LG allocations at source before remitting states’ shares. “You will see deduction from the source,” he stated, framing this as an executive action he is prepared to take.
This threat of direct intervention raises significant questions about the separation of powers and the President’s authority to unilaterally enforce a court judgment against sub-national entities. It places Tinubu in a direct supervisory role over state-LG fiscal relations, a move that will test the boundaries of executive power.
Broader Agenda: State Police and Party Reforms
The NEC meeting also served as a platform for Tinubu to advance other key agendas:
- State Police: The President unequivocally declared, “We are going for State Police,” linking it to the creation of armed Forest Rangers to combat terrorism and banditry. This represents a major policy shift towards decentralizing security, a long-debated issue. He directed the National Assembly to summon the Inspector General of Police to work on control mechanisms to prevent potential abuses—a critical caveat given fears of governors weaponizing police forces.
- APC Internal Democracy: On party matters, Tinubu warned the APC leadership against manipulating the ongoing e-membership registration. His directive—”allow it, don’t elbow, don’t shut the door against the people”—is an attempt to curb factional control and build a broader, more transparent party base, though past attempts at such reforms have often struggled.
Political Context and Implications
Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s praise of Tinubu as a formidable political fighter underscores the high-stakes nature of this confrontation. Forcing LG autonomy aligns with a public narrative of “reformism,” but it directly challenges the governors who form the backbone of the President’s own political network. Success could redefine Nigerian federalism, empowering local governance. Failure could ignite a protracted legal and political battle with the states.
Furthermore, the National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda’s, emphasis on party unity suggests an effort to present a consolidated front ahead of what could be a turbulent period of implementation. The coming months will reveal whether Tinubu’s “knife” is sharp enough to cut through the entrenched resistance to local government autonomy, or if the complex politics of Nigeria’s federation will blunt its edge. The move, if executed, would represent one of the most significant enforcements of federal authority over states in recent history.
Reported by Salisu Sani-Idris for NAN. Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa.
