Judgement Victory For Federalism, Says Tinubu
By Idowu Ajanaku and Bodurin Babatunde
GOVERNOR Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday reaffirmed his belief in the nation's judiciary saying the Supreme Court verdict against the withholding of Lagos Council allocations by the Federal Government was a triumph for federalism.
Tinubu in a press statement said that Lagos State has been vindicated in its fight to ensure true federalism, justice and rule of law in the country.
Parts of Tinubu's statement titled A victory for Federalism reads:
"When we lifted our eyes to the mountains of the judiciary over the illegal seizure of funds accruing to the local governments of Lagos State, we did not need to wonder where our salvation shall come from.
"We knew that our victory shall come from the justness of our cause, the legitimacy of our decision to respond to the yearnings of the people of Lagos State to bring governance closer to the grassroots and the impartiality of the Supreme Court, the highest organ for the resolution of disputes established by the constitution.
"We approached the portal of justice with a cast iron case of the inalienable right of Lagos State as a component unit of the Federal Government of Nigeria to take control of funds accruing to it from the Federation Account. We argued that the Federal Government as a co-ordinate tier, is not superior to the state. We advocated that the responsibilities of the Federal Government as clearly defined in the exclusive and concurrent jurisdictions of the constitution totally excludes the expropriation or withholding of funds accruing to the State of Lagos without the consent of our citizens.
"This morning the Supreme Court confirmed once again that the voice of the people is the voice of the law. In a unanimous judgement, it held that the Federal Government exceeded its bounds by withholding funds accruing to the local governments of Lagos State. Consequently, it ruled that the Federal Government should release the funds immediately.
"It is also significant that the Supreme Court upheld the local government elections held throughout Lagos State on March 27, 2004 as valid although it advised that the local governments shall assume full constitutionality and legality only when they have been listed by the National Assembly. It shall be our priority in the coming months to prevail on the National Assembly to perform its constitutional obligation and carry out its duty in the interest of democracy and rule of law in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
"I am happy to announce that the judgement of the Supreme Court is being faithfully executed with the fullest co-operation of the Federal Government and personal supervision of Mr. President, Chief Olusegun Obsanjo. The people of Lagos State hereby express our sincere thanks to Mr. President in ensuring that Lagosians do not suffer any further calamities for a second more after the order of the Supreme Court.
"Great citizens of Lagos State, I congratulate you all for your patience and perseverance, your steadfastness, your devotion and above all, the total confidence you reposed in this administration during our struggle for the right of the state in a federation of states. We started this struggle hand in hand, taking the steps together, reviewing the progress collectively and reinforcing each other's confidence and hope.
"I thank the Obas, the chiefs, the local government workers and elected representatives, the traditional organizations, the non-governmental organizations, the private sector, the academia the labour movement, the media, the international community and all those who stood by us in those seven months of the travails of federalism and the rule of law."
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