Olee otú ị ga-esi hụ na steeti na gọọmentị obodo na-aza ajụjụ maka ego ha na-enweta n'aka Gọọmentị Etiti?

The judgment of the Supreme Court earlier today affirming fiscal autonomy to local government councils in the country is a win for the people of Nigeria. The court’s ruling is a step in the right direction and a major corrective action in greasing the wheels of national development across the country. The decision by the Federal Government to consolidate disbursements of local councils’ revenues into the state government accounts was a decision that was borne out of politics of hasty compromise. I align with the decision of the Supreme Court that the structure of the Nigerian government is portioned in three layers, and of these, the local governments should be centres of development. I also share the belief that fiscal autonomy to the local governments should not be limited to revenues from the Federation Accounts, but indeed, should apply to Internally Generated Revenue from the respective local government authorities.

The local government election conducted by the occupation government in Rivers State is an awful absurdity and a travesty to the very notion of elective democracy. By the shameful and shambolic manner in which the occupation government went ahead to conduct local government elections in RiversState, it is clear that the ruling APC party is not leaving anyone in doubt that it is prepared to throw caution to the wind in order to achieve an inordinate political advantage. It therefore becomes necessary to call the attention of well-meaning Nigerians. international community and all friends and partners of Nigeria to the dangerous curve that the President Bola Tinubu regime is taking our dear country. I will also call on all opposition parties in Rivers State to reject the local government election on the premise that the occupation government that conducted the exercise is extraneous to our laws, with absolutely no legitimacy to undertake such a crucial and sensitive assignment.

The ADC will: 1. Fix the economy without hurting the people. ● Reforms will be introduced with clear plans and real support for those that are most affected. 2. Ensure that taxes are simple, harmonised, transparent and fair to everybody. ● Citizens will be able to track how their taxes are spent at the federal, state, and local levels. ● We will increase the threshold for taxable income so that those who earn survival income are exempt. ● We will reduce the income tax so that Nigerians have more to spend. ● We will simplify the tax code. 3. Cut the cost of governance and reduce waste in government. We will reduce excessive spending. ● We will review and begin implementing the Oronsaye Report within the first 100 days of an ADC administration. ● Introduce a clear and public cap on the number of executive and legislative appointments at federal, state, and local levels. ● Digitize public service across all levels of government ● Cut down on all non-essential government-funded travel

4. Make government spending more accountable and results-driven. Every naira spent must deliver real impact in people's lives. ● Pass legislation requiring federal, state, and local governments to publish quarterly revenue and expenditure reports to improve transparency 26

2. Strengthen fiscal federalism and revenue allocation. We will reform the revenue-sharing system to give states a greater share of national resources and stronger incentives to develop their local economies. ● Expand and strengthen the derivation principle to include solid minerals and hydropower, ensuring producing states benefit more directly 3. Devolve powers to states for more effective governance. We will move key responsibilities from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent and residual levels, allowing states to take greater control over critical sectors. ● Transfer greater authority to states in areas such as policing, prisons, and railways ● Decentralize control over mines, minerals, oil fields, and natural gas, with clear national standards and safeguards ● Allow states to manage areas such as business registration, drugs and narcotics control, and criminal identification systems ●

7. Promote responsible resource control with national balance. States will have greater control over natural resources within their territories, while contributing fairly to the federation through taxes and royalties. This will drive local development while preserving national cohesion. Details: ● Amend relevant laws, including the Petroleum Act, Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, Land Use Act, and Petroleum Profit Tax Act, to enable states to manage and benefit more directly from their natural resources ● Require states to remit agreed taxes or royalties to the federal government to maintain national balance and shared responsibility ● Encourage states to develop resource-based industries, including processing and value addition, rather than relying solely on extraction ● Establish clear regulatory frameworks to ensure environmental protection, transparency, and accountability in resource management 8. Promote the inclusion of women, youths, and persons with disabilities in governance. We will ensure that vulnerable and underrepresented groups are meaningfully included in political appointments, decision-making processes, and elective offices, with clear policies and institutional support to make inclusion a reality, not just a promise.