News
Local councils to receive direct FAAC allocations from January 2025
Starting January 2025, local councils in Nigeria will begin receiving direct allocations from the Federation Account, in line with the Supreme Court’s July 11 ruling granting financial autonomy to local governments.
The disbursement of this month’s allocation will kick off the new system, ensuring that councils receive their funds directly without interference from state governments, as per The Nation.
This decision aims to eliminate delays in implementing the ruling and ensure timely access to resources for local governments.
The Supreme Court’s judgment dismantled the state/local government joint account, which has traditionally been used to channel council allocations.
However, the transition has met resistance from state governors, who are dissatisfied with the ruling.
“A few LGAs have already started receiving their direct allocations but all of the 774 LGAs will fully start receiving their allocations from January 2025,” revealed a member of the Inter-Ministerial Committee set up to enforce the ruling.
The source further stated: “Our committee will reconvene in January to review its progress and finalise measures before the Accountant-General of the Federation issues authorisation for the complete rollout. This is a critical juncture in Nigeria’s governance structure.”
In the same meeting, the committee plans to address actions by governors attempting to undermine the autonomy of elected LGA leaders, ensuring they are not pressured into serving state interests.
This move is seen as a key step in empowering local councils to perform their constitutional duties without undue external influence. However, concerns about state interference remain, particularly in Edo State, where the House of Assembly recently suspended democratically elected local government leaders over alleged insubordination by Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee, chaired by George Akume, the secretary to the government of the federation, also includes key figures such as Wale Edun, coordinating minister of the economy, Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation, Abubakar Bagudu, the minister of budget and economic planning, Oluwatoyin Madein, the accountant-general, Olayemi Cardoso, the Central Bank governor, and Muhammed Shehu, the chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, as well as representatives from state governors and local governments.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has strongly supported local government financial autonomy, emphasising the need to implement constitutional provisions recognising councils as a third tier of government.
Many states have conducted local government elections since the Supreme Court verdict in July.
However, some states, such as Anambra, appear to be attempting to circumvent the ruling. The Anambra State House of Assembly recently passed a Local Government Administration Bill that mandates councils to deposit a portion of their allocations into a state-controlled joint account, raising concerns about compliance with the Supreme Court’s decision.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Again, three members of the House of Representatives from Katsina State officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during plenary at the National Assembly today.
The defection was formally announced during plenary and has immediately altered the political composition of Katsina’s representation in the House.
Lawmakers who Defected: Hon. Salisu Yusuf Majigiri – Representing Mashi/Dutsi Federal Constituency Hon. Aliyu Iliyasu Ruma – Representing Batsari/Safana/Danmusa Federal Constituency Hon. Abdullahi Balarabe Dabai – Representing Bakori/Danja Federal Constituency
Defection Confirmed in House Plenary The Speaker of the House of Representatives formally acknowledged the defection letters submitted by the lawmakers. The legislators cited internal crises within the PDP in their respective constituencies and the inability of the party to uphold democratic principles as key reasons for their decision. Hon. Salisu Majigiri, a former chairman of the PDP in Katsina State, was considered one of the strongest opposition figures in the region. His move to the APC is seen as a major win for the ruling party, particularly ahead of future political calculations in the North-West.
By Francesca Hangeior
Some academics and alumni have called for the urgent constitution of a new governing council for the University of Abuja.
They also asked the federal government to extend the tenure of the acting vice-chancellor of the University, Patricia Lar who has three months left in her appointment.
Although her mandate is for six months, they want it extended to allow for the completion of ongoing reforms.
The academics said this would enable her to continue the ‘rescue mission’ gains the university is experiencing under her leadership.
They said this in a joint statement signed by Godwin Okaneme of the department of philosophy, Iheanyichukwu Ukpabi of the department of policy and strategic studies, Abuja Leadership Centre, and Umoru Abdulrasheed Oseni of the faculty of education at the university.
The academics described her emergence as a “rescue mission” following the removal of Aisha Maikudi, the former VC, on February 6.
The statement said: “The University does not yet have a full-fledged Governing Council. We appeal to the Federal Government to expedite action on the appointment of a Governing Council for the University to enable the institution run effectively and efficiently without encumbrances.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal High Court in Abuja has quashed a suit filed by MultiChoice Nigeria, the parent company of DStv and GOtv, challenging the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (FCCPC) intervention in its recent subscription price hike.
Delivering judgement on Thursday, Justice James Omotoso ruled that the suit constituted an abuse of court process as similar proceedings were already pending elsewhere.
He stressed that the plaintiff should have pursued its arguments in that court, rendering the current filing procedurally inappropriate.
Justice Omotoso noted that while the FCCPC has investigative powers under its establishing Act, it lacks the authority to fix or suspend prices unless specifically delegated by the President through a gazetted instrument. No such delegation was presented to the court.
“The power to fix prices is exclusively that of the President. Any decision taken without such delegation is a nullity,” he stated.
He added that Nigeria operates a free market system, and service providers like MultiChoice retain the right to set their prices, with consumers free to accept or reject them.
The judge further ruled that FCCPC’s actions, including directing MultiChoice to suspend its price increase, breached the company’s right to fair hearing and appeared selectively targeted.
He dismissed the FCCPC’s claim that MultiChoice held a dominant market position, calling the argument untenable.
The use of services like those provided by the plaintiff is discretionary and not essential. Nigeria can do without it,” he added.
He warned that attempts to fix prices by regulatory bodies could scare off investors and harm the economy.
The court held that while the FCCPC may investigate market practices, it cannot impose price controls without proper legal backing.
MultiChoice had increased subscription rates by up to 25% on March 1, 2025, citing inflation and operational cost pressures.
The FCCPC opposed the move and threatened to sanction the firm.
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