The governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, says the state has nothing to worry about following the recent Supreme Court judgement granting financial autonomy to local government areas.
He said the judgement is in tune with what the state has been practicing as the state government does not touch money belonging to the local government areas.
Governor Oborevwori said this while speaking with journalists after casting his vote in the Delta State local government elections on Saturday.
“The Supreme Court has given judgement but you can see that we believe in that same process. That is why when I came in, I did not constitute a transition committee in Delta State, I am not in support of a transition committee,” Governor Oborevwori said.
“Today, by the grace of God we are doing an election and by early next week, those who won will be sworn in. So, the issue of the Supreme Court judgement does not affect the Delta State government because we don’t tamper with local government money. As we speak, the money for the last three months is still there, almost N14 billion is still there waiting for the chairmen to take over.
“So, we don’t touch government money, we augment. So whether the Supreme Court said they should have autonomy, I believe in financial autonomy. I am a former Speaker, we were at the forefront of financial autonomy for the legislator and the judiciary, so that judgement does not affect Delta State.”
The Governor said the local government election in the state is free and fair, expressing confidence that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will come out victorious in the election.
The election is holding in 5,863 polling units, and 500 wards across 25 local government areas in the State.
The apex court in the landmark judgement on Thursday declared that it is unconstitutional for state governors to hold onto funds meant for local government (LG) administrations.
The Supreme Court also barred governors from dissolving democratically elected Local Government councils in the country. The court said doing so, would amount to a breach of the 1999 Constitution.
Peoplesmind
