Shortly after President Bola Tinubu welcomed the verdict of the Supreme Court that affirmed the autonomy of the Local Government Administration, several other prominent political office holders have expressed delight with the development.
The latest are the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Attorney General of the Federation, and Governors of Cross River, Anambra States.
Interacting with newsmen after a meeting with President Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio called on State Governments to respect the verdict of the Supreme Court and conduct impartial election in which all parties could participate.
He warned that the National Assembly was determined to ensure enforceability.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who was also in the meeting with President Tinubu, said the Supreme Court had done the needful, adding that Nigerians are looking forward to Local Government that will work functionally.
On his part, the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, described the verdict as Local Government Emancipation Judgement due to the opportunity therein for them to develop the grassroots.
He warned potential erring Governors about the consequences of dishonouring the judgement of the Supreme Court, which takes immediate effect.
In an interview, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State, believed that the judgment was taken in very good faith, and that Nigerians should be happy about it.
He said he had not read the document, but believed its application should add some pep to local government administration.
While responding to questions on the judgement, Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State, said he would redeem his pledge, made during his inauguration, to conduct local government elections.
The Governor said Anambra State House of Assembly had just passed the State’s Independent Electoral Commission law, explaining that the government is putting together the institutions to be able to organise the elections.