Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has made local government autonomy in Nigeria a fresh part of his 2027 campaign message, promising that his administration would pay allocations directly to the country’s 774 councils if elected.
The pledge comes at a sensitive time. Two years after the Supreme Court local government ruling, many councils are still not receiving their funds directly despite the court’s order. Recent findings show that more than ₦10.48 trillion was allocated to local governments between July 2024 and June 2026, while implementation of the ruling remains uneven.
The bigger issue, therefore, is not simply whether Atiku supports autonomy. It is whether a future government can finally break the political control states continue to exercise over council finances.
Why Atiku Is Making the Promise Now
Atiku’s latest position puts the Atiku 2027 election campaign directly against one of the biggest unresolved questions in Nigeria’s federal system.
The Supreme Court ruled in July 2024 that allocations meant for the 774 local governments should be paid directly to them and that state governments should not retain or spend council funds.
Yet recent reports indicate that many states still operate systems where governors retain significant influence over council finances. In some states, councils reportedly continue to receive funds through state governments instead of directly from the Federation Account.
That gives Atiku an easy political argument: money has been allocated, but grassroots governments still do not have full control of it.
What Direct Payments Could Change
If implemented properly, direct payment of local government allocations could give councils more freedom to plan projects, pay workers and respond to local problems without waiting for state government approval.
There is also a potential impact on accountability. Citizens could have a clearer basis for asking their local chairmen how federal allocations were spent.
But autonomy alone will not guarantee better governance. The ICPC has already recognised the need for stronger accountability and anti-corruption systems as councils gain greater financial control.
The Real Test Will Be Political Will
The difficult part may not be announcing the policy. It will be enforcing it against powerful state governors.
Recent reporting suggests that local government autonomy in Nigeria has become entangled with 2027 politics, with governors remaining important political allies for the presidency.
That makes Atiku’s promise more than a financial policy. It is a test of whether a future president would be willing to confront the same political structure that has slowed implementation of the Supreme Court judgment.
For voters, the question before 2027 may ultimately be simple: will local governments finally control the money allocated to them?
