Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has publicly slammed President Bola Tinubu, demanding immediate action to enforce the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government financial autonomy. Atiku’s latest outburst, posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, accuses the Tinubu administration of dragging its feet and worsening poverty at the grassroots level.

Atiku, never one to shy away from controversy, blasted the federal government for “nearly two years” of inaction since the Supreme Court’s decision. He insisted that Supreme Court judgments are “final, not optional,” and accused Tinubu of violating his oath of office by failing to act. According to Atiku, the president’s refusal to implement the ruling is not just a legal blunder, but a direct attack on millions of Nigerians who depend on local government services.

“Persistently refusing to enforce one is a direct breach of the Constitution and a violation of the oath you swore to Nigerians,” Atiku declared, in a statement clearly designed to put Tinubu on the spot. He painted a dire picture, claiming that the lack of financial independence for local governments is “crippling communities, stalling development, and deepening poverty.”

Atiku didn’t stop there. He called on Tinubu to order the Attorney-General to enforce the Supreme Court’s judgment immediately, warning that “anything short of this is a failure of leadership.” The message was clear: Atiku is holding Tinubu personally responsible for the ongoing crisis.

The issue of local government autonomy has been a political football for years, with state governments accused of hoarding funds meant for local councils. Critics say this practice has fueled corruption and stifled development, but the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling was supposed to change all that by guaranteeing direct allocations to local governments.

Despite the court’s clear directive, implementation has stalled. President Tinubu has previously talked tough, even threatening to issue an Executive Order to force state governors to comply. “If you wait for my Executive Order… I will cut it,” Tinubu warned at an APC meeting, but so far, no decisive action has followed.

Now, with Atiku fanning the flames and public frustration mounting, the Tinubu administration faces renewed scrutiny. Observers are questioning whether the president is truly committed to upholding the rule of law and empowering local governments, or if this is just more political posturing.

As the debate rages on, Nigerians are left wondering: Will Tinubu finally act, or will the Supreme Court’s ruling remain just another broken promise? The pressure is on, and the nation is watching.