Governors Hold Marathon Meeting As Local Govt Autonomy Tops Agenda

 The thirty- six state Governors under the aegis of Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF have commenced a meeting in Abuja, with Local Government Autonomy toping the agenda.

The governors started arriving for the meeting at 9pm at the National Secretariat of the forum, Maitama, Abuja.

According to the agenda which was sighted, the issue of Local Government Autonomy is coming under Matters Arising and briefing by the Chairman of the forum and Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq who will brief the governors on the matter.

Recall that the Supreme Court had on 11th July barred the 36 governors of the federation from further retaining or utilizing funds that are meant for the 774 Local Government Areas, LGAs, in the country.

The apex court had ruled that it is illegal and unconstitutional for governors to continue to receive and seize funds allocated to LGAs in their states.

Other parts of the agenda read, “United Nations General Assembly – Update; State Contribution and Shareholder Rights in Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) – Update; Update by NGF Secretariat – Ag. Director General; Presentations1 Minister of Health and Social Welfare, 1i. World Bank Country Office; F is Any other Business, A.O.B. and G. Communique.”

At the moment, Governors of Abia, Kogi, Anambra, Delta, Plateau, Yobe, Imo, Benue, Cross River, Ondo, Zamfara, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Kano, Kwara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kogi, Lagos, Nasarawa, Oyo, and Gombe are at the meeting.

Also are deputies of Enugu, Borno State.