- The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project urged President Tinubu to withhold federal allocations from states failing to conduct credible elections
- SERAP warned that legal action may follow if the government does not enforce a Supreme Court ruling on local government elections
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to withhold federal allocations from states that fail to conduct credible local government elections.
In a letter dated October 5, 2024, signed by SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization urged President Tinubu to instruct the Minister of Finance, Mr. Olawale Edun, to ensure that allocations from the Federation Account are paid only to democratically elected local government councils, as required by the Nigerian Constitution and a Supreme Court judgment delivered in July 2024.
SERAP also requested the President to invite the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to jointly monitor how federal allocations are spent by local government councils.
This, according to the organization, would promote accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.
The Supreme Court ruling of July 11, 2024, stated that funds from the Federation Account should be directly paid to democratically elected local councils. It also prohibited state governors from dissolving such councils and replacing them with caretaker committees.
SERAP expressed concern that several state governors are failing to comply with this ruling and are manipulating local government elections, contrary to Section 7(1) of the Nigerian Constitution.
SERAP warned that if President Tinubu does not act within seven days of receiving the letter, the organization would consider taking legal action to compel the government to enforce the Supreme Court’s decision and ensure compliance with the rule of law.