Senator Karimi: Don’t Blame Tinubu Or Nass For Delay In Local Govt Autonomy

Senator Sunday Karimi, who represents Kogi West, says the Federal Government and National Assembly shouldn’t be blamed for the slow pace in implementing local government financial autonomy, despite a Supreme Court ruling backing it.

Speaking in Lokoja while giving an update on his work over the last two years in the 10th Senate, Karimi made it clear that President Bola Tinubu has done his part by backing the move for LG autonomy through legal channels.

“The President has shown commitment. He even took the matter to the Supreme Court through the Attorney-General,” Karimi noted.

He stressed that the real hurdle to full autonomy lies elsewhere, hinting at resistance from certain quarters who are just not interested in seeing local governments operate independently.

“Some people are not interested in this local government autonomy,” he repeated for emphasis.

Karimi argued that now that the apex court has ruled, the National Assembly doesn’t need to pass new laws on the matter—it’s already law. But what is missing, he said, is citizens' action.

“If we keep quiet, that autonomy will not stand. Nigerians need to rise and demand its full implementation,” he said.

The Senator added that autonomy at the local level is crucial for real development across Nigeria, describing it as a collective responsibility.

“It’s not just the National Assembly’s job—it’s for every Nigerian. We must all push for proper governance at the local level.”

He also reminded the public that Supreme Court judgments are final, citing the Constitution:

“No appeal can be made against a Supreme Court decision except through a presidential or gubernatorial pardon. That makes the court’s ruling on local government autonomy binding and unchallengeable.”

Karimi concluded by reaffirming the National Assembly’s support for local government reform, but insisted that the next phase lies with Nigerians speaking up and demanding what’s already theirs by law.