Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has promised to end state control of local government finances and ensure that allocations meant for Nigeria’s 774 councils are paid directly to them if he wins the 2027 presidential election.

Atiku made the pledge in a statement issued on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, arguing that local governments must have the financial independence guaranteed under the Constitution.

He said his administration would implement the Supreme Court’s July 2024 judgment on local government financial autonomy and ensure that councils have direct access to their statutory allocations.

According to the former vice president, public funds should be distributed and managed according to the law rather than political interests.

“My administration will respect court judgments, protect local government autonomy, ensure that public funds reach the people for whom they are meant, and restore true federalism,” he said.

Atiku said granting councils direct access to their funds would strengthen grassroots development, reduce poverty and improve their capacity to respond to security challenges, including crime and terrorism.

The ADC candidate accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of failing to fully enforce the Supreme Court ruling, alleging that the Federal Government had been unwilling to confront state governors over their control of local government resources.

He further alleged that the continued control of council funds by state authorities could be linked to political calculations ahead of the 2027 general election.

Atiku insisted that Nigeria should operate as a true federation in which the three tiers of government exercise the constitutional powers and independence available to them.

The pledge comes amid Atiku’s broader criticism of the Tinubu administration as he positions himself for the 2027 presidential election.

The former vice president recently criticised Tinubu over the President’s three-week working vacation in Europe, arguing that the country was facing serious economic and security challenges that required the President’s physical presence.

Atiku cited rising living costs, fuel and transportation prices, food insecurity and persistent insecurity among the issues confronting Nigerians.

He also questioned the President’s decision to travel while Vice President Kashim Shettima was outside the country on official duty.

Atiku described the situation as a “disturbing vacuum of political leadership” and presented his candidacy as an alternative to the current administration.

However, presidential spokesman Sunday Dare defended Tinubu’s decision to proceed on the working vacation, describing it as an opportunity for the President to rest after months of intensive engagement with economic, security and other national issues.