The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to include representatives of Local Government Councils in the Federation Account Allocations Committee, FAAC.
The Senate advocated one local government representative per State, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Senate also resolved to communicate its resolution to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the economy, Wale Edun, as the Chairman of FAAC, for necessary action. It equally resolved to seek the concurrence of the House of Representatives on the matter.
The resolutions followed the consideration and adoption of a motion sponsored by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, (APC, Kano North), during plenary.
Debating the motion on behalf of Senator Barau Jibrin who presided over plenary, Senator Isa Jibrin ((Kogi East) said the motion followed the Supreme Court judgement.
Recall that the Supreme Court had in July 2024 granted financial autonomy to Local Government Councils across the country.
Jibrin said, “Observe that section 5 of the Allocation of Revenue (Federation Account, etc) Act 1981 prescribes the membership of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to be only representatives of the Federal Government and State Governments to the exclusion of the 3rd tier of government, i.e. Local Government Councils (LGCs).
“Also observes that this provision of the Act is no longer consistent with the current Interpretation of Sections 162(5) and (6) CFRN 1999 as recently determined by the Supreme Court in its judgment of July 2024;
“Further observes that it is imperative to urgently harmonize the provisions of Section 5 of the Act with the Constitution and its current interpretation by the Supreme Court; and
“Aware that the representatives of the States had always represented LGCs at FAAC. However, in light of the current position of the Constitution, as interpreted by the Supreme Court, it has become imperative that a representative of LGCs per State and Area Councils be nominated to represent their interest at FAAC.”
Daily Trust reports that all the Senators who contributed to the debate supported the motion.
The Senators are Titus Zam (APC, Benue North West), Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South), and Diket Plang (Plateau Central).
Others are Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) and Adamu Aliero (APC,)