A Kano State High Court has ruled that the federal government must not interfere with the funds belonging to the state’s 44 local government councils.
The judgment, delivered on Monday by Justice Musa Ibrahim Karaye, reaffirmed the financial autonomy of local governments following a heated legal battle.
The case began when the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) sought a court order to halt the disbursement of funds to the local governments, citing alleged irregularities in the local government elections conducted by the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) in October 2024.
The APC argued that the legitimacy of the elected officials was in question and called for a suspension of financial allocations.
In response, the court had earlier issued an interim order directing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, and all commercial banks not to tamper with the funds until the case was resolved.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Karaye upheld the autonomy of local governments and declared that the federal government had no constitutional authority to withhold their funds.
Speaking after the verdict, Barrister Bashir Yusuf Tudun Wuzirchi, who represented the 44 local governments, described the ruling as a victory for democracy and grassroots development.
He emphasized that the case was filed to prevent external forces from obstructing progress in Kano State. He further stated that the court’s decision had granted all their requests and instructed the federal government to respect the constitutional rights of local governments regarding financial allocations.
Attempts to obtain a response from the APC’s legal representatives were unsuccessful, and it remains uncertain whether the party will challenge the ruling in a higher court.
Meanwhile, Kano State continues to be a focal point of political rivalry between the ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the opposition APC.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, both parties are locked in a fierce battle for dominance, and this ruling could further shape the political dynamics of the state.
Legal experts believe that the judgment could have broader implications for the financial independence of local governments across Nigeria, setting a precedent for future disputes over fiscal federalism and governance autonomy.