The suspension is with immediate effect, and the Chairman has been directed to hand over the affairs of the council to the Vice Chairman.
According to Daily Independent, The Governor’s decision was made in the exercise of his powers under Section 2 of the Local Government Law (as amended) 2019. The suspension is pending further directives, and the Governor’s action is aimed at maintaining order and discipline in the local government council.
Buni is a second-term governor on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) platform.
This came amid calls for local government autonomy in the country. President Bola Tinubu-led federal government has taken legal action to that effect.
The Federal Government has taken legal action against the 36 state governors, seeking full autonomy for local governments in Nigeria. The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, filed the suit on behalf of the FG, arguing that the governors’ actions in administering local government funds are unconstitutional. The FG is seeking a court order to stop governors from unilaterally dissolving elected local government executives and to ensure direct funding of local governments from the Federation Account.
The FG’s suit also asks the court to prohibit governors from constituting caretaker committees to run local governments, as this is deemed unlawful and unconstitutional. Furthermore, the FG is seeking an injunction to prevent governors from receiving or spending funds meant for local governments unless a democratically elected system is in place. The Supreme Court has reserved judgment on the matter, with the date for the ruling yet to be announced.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
