FG Drags All 36 State Governors to Supreme Court Over ‘Hijacked’ Local Governments

In a landmark move that could reshape Nigeria’s power structure, the Federal Government has filed a lawsuit against all 36 state governors at the Supreme Court, accusing them of denying local governments full autonomy in violation of the constitution.

The suit, which was filed through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, alleges that state governors have continued to control the finances and operations of local councils turning them into political tools rather than allowing them to operate independently, as the Nigerian Constitution intends.

“This case is not about politics,” a senior official from the Justice Ministry said. “It’s about restoring grassroots democracy and accountability.”

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The federal government is asking the apex court to issue an order mandating that funds allocated to local governments from the federation account be sent directly to them, bypassing state government control. It also seeks an injunction barring governors from dissolving elected local councils and replacing them with caretaker committees.

For years, civil society groups, opposition leaders, and even traditional rulers have criticized the excessive influence of state governors over local councils, describing it as a root cause of underdevelopment at the community level.

“Local governments have become extensions of the governor’s office,” said Dr. Ifeoma Eze, a political analyst at the University of Abuja. “This has stifled development and killed local accountability.”

Several governors have expressed shock over the lawsuit, with some calling it a “direct attack on federalism.” Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, speaking through his media aide, said the matter should have been resolved through legislative dialogue rather than legal confrontation.

Meanwhile, advocacy groups like BudgIT and SERAP have welcomed the lawsuit, calling it a bold step toward restoring the integrity of local governance in Nigeria.

The Supreme Court has not yet announced a hearing date, but legal observers expect a swift and high-profile trial given the sweeping implications for all 774 local government areas in the country.

If the court rules in favor of the federal government, it would mark one of the most significant governance reforms since the return to civilian rule in 1999.

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