Dr Rabia Yasai Hassan Cengiz has welcomed Thursday’s judgment of the Supreme Court affirming the right of local governments to receive their monthly allocations directly from the federation account.

The National coodinator of patriotic movement for Asiwaju Haj,Dr Rabi Sani Hassan Cengiz also saluted President Bola Tinubu for the upright decision.

This was contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by the National chairman Team Akpabio for Senate president,Prime Ahmed HASHIM ENDU.

The apex court had granted full autonomy to the 774 local governments in the country as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution (amended).

The seven-man panel in a unanimous decision agreed that it is illegal and unconstitutional for governors to continue to receive or retain funds allocated to the local governments.

In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court declared that the power of the government is divided into three arms namely the federal, state and local governments.

The court further declared that a state government cannot elect a caretaker committee, adding that a local government council is only recognisable with a democratically elected government.

But in Friday’s statement, HASHIM ENDU emphasised that the decision signifies a historic moment in the consolidation of democratic federalism in Nigeria.

He said, “It (judgment) gives practical expression to constitutional recognition of local government councils as the third tier of government. It constitutes the single most significant stride towards restructuring Nigeria since its return to civilian democratic rule in 1999.

Dr Rabi Sani Hassan Cengiz applaud the Supreme Court for justifying itself, and for its courage in rendering a definitive decision on this vexed national issue. The clarity it brings will, no doubt, spur further reform for effectiveness, transparency and accountability of local government administration in the country.

“She commend the ingenuity, vision and commitment of President Bola Tinubu towards deepening our democracy and turning our local government councils into potential strongholds for development and more efficient service delivery to our populations at the grassroots

We pleaded with most compassionate president TINUBU and National Assembly to called for the withdrawal of all the caretaker committee in 774 Local government for democratically elected council chairman and councillors.

Prime Ahmed HASHIM ENDU chairman Team Akpabio for Senate president.