Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the continued delay in enforcing the Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments. Atiku said the failure to implement the ruling weakens Nigeria’s Constitution and sends a wrong signal about respect for the rule of law. He insisted that the judgment is final and should be obeyed without political considerations.

The Supreme Court had ruled in July 2024 that state governments have no right to control or withhold funds meant for local councils, declaring the practice unconstitutional. The court also faulted the use of caretaker committees, saying they place local governments under illegal state control. Although President Tinubu recently urged governors to comply with the ruling, Atiku said mere warnings are not enough.

Reacting through social media, Atiku accused the President of deliberately delaying enforcement in order to gain political advantage. He alleged that the ruling is being used as a bargaining chip to pressure opposition governors to defect to the ruling APC and to maintain control over governors within the party. According to him, enforcing the judgment is not optional but a constitutional duty.

Atiku warned that refusing to implement the Supreme Court decision amounts to a breach of the President’s oath of office. He said history would judge the administration harshly if political interests are allowed to override constitutional responsibility. He urged the government to act immediately and show that the law, not politics, guides governance in Nigeria.