Group warns FG against releasing LG funds to Kano, Jigawa, 18 others

The African Network for Anti-Corruption (ANA) has warned the Federal government not to release the monthly consolidated funds to 20 states of the Federation where there are no elected local government chairmen. The group also cautioned the Federal and state governments not to take advantage of the Supreme Court Judgment on the financial autonomy granted to LGAs to manipulate the distribution of the council resources. Addressing a press conference Friday in Kano, Muhammad Musbahu Basirika, the convener of the group said the warning became pertinent because of the trust deficiency of the Nigerian government. The convener insisted that states where caretakers are the real occupants of the third tier of government are not only operating illegal practice but do not deserve to benefit from the financial autonomy affirmed by the apex court. The states identified to be running caretaker leadership at the council level are Jigawa, Rivers, Anambra, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kano, Imo, Bauchi, Plateau, Enugu, Katsina, Yobe, Kwara, Abia, Cross River, Benue, Ondo, Osun, Delta and Akwa Ibom. Basirika also cautioned against state governors appointing loyalists as local government council chairpersons, warning that such actions could undermine the spirit of the judgement. He expressed satisfaction with the Supreme Court’s decision and urged the Federal Government to initiate legal actions to transfer the responsibility of conducting local government elections to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Basirika emphasised the need for constitutional amendments to ensure credibility, fairness, and transparency in electoral processes and added that the major blow against poor governance and associated vices has been resolved. He expressed concern over the long-standing over-reliance of local governments on state governments, which has led to inefficiency, mismanagement, and corruption. “This judgement empowers local government councils to control their finances, make independent decisions, and effectively serve the people,” Basirika noted. “With this autonomy, local governments can improve healthcare, education, infrastructure, create jobs, and stimulate local economies. “We truly commend the Supreme Court for this judgement, which is courageous and historic, we also salute the media, chaos and other stakeholders for their efforts in ensuring autonomy.” The post Group warns FG against releasing LG funds to Kano, Jigawa, 18 others appeared first on Guardian Nigeria News.