A former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori, has criticized the recent ruling by the Supreme Court granting full financial autonomy to local governments in Nigeria, deeming it a significant setback to the principles of federalism.
Ibori, in his statement on X, expressed his disagreement with the verdict, citing constitutional provisions to support his argument that the decision undermines the core tenets of federalism. He emphasized that the Federal Government has no authority to meddle in the affairs of local governments under any circumstances.
He highlighted that the ruling has profound implications on the power dynamics between the federal and state governments, as it allows for federal interference in local government finances, thereby consolidating power at the federal level, contrary to federalism principles.
The former governor, emphasized the necessity of adhering to the constitutional provisions regarding resource allocation to local governments, stating that any deviation from Section 162 of the constitution would undermine its purpose.
He raised concerns about the potential consequences of the Supreme Court’s ruling, including its impact on constitutional interpretation, the balance of power, state autonomy, financial independence, and the establishment of precedents for future interventions. Ibori underscored the necessity of democratically electing local government officials while cautioning against withholding their allocations as a means of enforcement. He expressed his hope for a prompt review of the judgment, as he believed it contradicted the fundamental principles of federalism.
Having governed Delta State from 1999 to 2007, Ibori’s legal troubles began in 2010 when he was arrested in Dubai and subsequently extradited to the United Kingdom to face charges of money laundering and embezzlement of public funds amounting to $250 million. Following his guilty plea to ten counts of money laundering and conspiracy to defraud in 2012, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison by the Southwark Crown Court in London.
