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The Labour Party (LP) has ramped up pressure on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to swiftly sign an Executive Order to enforce financial autonomy for Nigeria's local governments.In a strongly worded statement issued by Dr. Arabambi Abayomi, the party's National Vice Chairman for the South West, the LP accused state governors of flagrantly defying the Supreme Court's landmark July 11, 2024, ruling that mandated direct allocations from the Federation Account to local councils.

 The party warned that further delays by the president would amount to a "betrayal" of the judiciary and ordinary Nigerians at the grassroots level."President Tinubu has spoken about the need for an Executive Order to ensure compliance, but words alone aren't enough," Abayomi said. He pointed out that governors continue to interfere with local government funds through mechanisms like joint accounts, which the Supreme Court explicitly abolished. Such practices, he argued, fuel corruption, stifle local development, and replace transparent projects with political patronage.

The LP specifically called out Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, citing his recent presentation of vehicles to local council chairmen as evidence of ongoing financial control and lack of transparency. The party demanded that Tinubu direct the Ministry of Finance and the Accountant-General of the Federation to begin remitting funds directly to elected local councils without delay.Abayomi also issued a stern warning to governors withholding allocations, threatening that future LP-led administrations would launch thorough forensic audits into local government finances.

The call comes amid growing national debate over the slow implementation of the Supreme Court judgment. President Tinubu has previously warned governors of potential federal intervention, including an Executive Order, if they fail to comply. However, opposition voices like the LP insist that rhetoric must give way to decisive action to truly empower the third tier of government and bring development closer to the people.