Why We're Disobeying the Supreme Court, By Federal Government.

(From Vanguard (Nigeria) - AAGM)

Byline: Jide Ajani

Again, the Federal Government of Nigeria has gone back to court - while still holding onto the local council funds it with held. This time, it is requesting that the money should not be given directly to the Lagos State but into a special account pending the time the Lagos State Government would revert to 20 local government areas.

Knowing that the recent judgement of the Supreme Court declaring that the Federal Government of Nigeria had no right in the first instance to with hold funds meant for local government councils in any state of the federation, ordering its immediate release, the federal government again went back to court to seek other further clarifications on the matter in a manner which has the odour of politics oozing from it.

And so, the federal government is now asking the courts to make declarations which have nothing whatsoever to do with the release of the money belonging to the local government councils in Lagos State. While still holding onto the local council funds it with held, it is requesting that the money should not be given directly to the Lagos State Government but into a special account pending the time the Lagos State Government would revert to 20 local government areas.

But this is nothing but politics; and one which seems not to take cognisance of the essence of governance. The essence of governance is to spread the largest sum of good to the masses.

With the continued with holding of funds meant for those who voted the government into office, including those who voted for the PDP government in Aso Rock, the Obasanjo administration is telling Nigerians that it does not care about the well-being of those who voted for it.

Had there been a lacuna in the judgement of the Supreme Court ordering the release of the said funds to the Lagos State government, Aso Rock could then claim that it did not understand the spirit of the judgement.

And even where the government would …