Abia APC Governorship Aspirant Chief Mascot Uzor Kalu has expressed concern over what he described as the Abia State Government’s failure to fully respect the rule of law and constitutional order regarding the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy.
Reacting to recent remarks by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who urged state governments to comply with the apex court ruling, Chief Mascot said the directive should serve as a timely reminder to Abia State to take concrete steps toward implementation rather than relying on explanations and legal interpretations that delay compliance.
The President had emphasized that the judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on direct allocation of funds to local government councils must be obeyed by all tiers of government in the interest of grassroots development and constitutional governance.
In his reaction, Chief Mascot stated that the administration of Governor Alex Otti has, so far, not demonstrated clear and practical adherence to the ruling. He noted that respect for the rule of law goes beyond policy statements and requires visible actions that align with the spirit and letter of judicial decisions.
According to him, local government autonomy is a constitutional matter and not subject to discretionary implementation. He argued that continued delays or alternative frameworks undermine public confidence in democratic institutions and weaken governance at the grassroots level.
Chief Mascot, however, called for a resolution, urging the Abia State Government to review its position and ensure full compliance with the Supreme Court order in order to strengthen democracy and restore confidence among local government stakeholders.
He added that obedience to court rulings remains a fundamental pillar of constitutional democracy and urged all levels of government to lead by example as Nigeria deepens its federal system and democratic culture.
