The call for accountability from our state governors regarding the federal, state, and LGA allocations they have received is a very pressing issue. President Bola Tinubu, in his recent speech, highlighted that aside from the regular federal allocations, additional funds have been disbursed to the states, including billions of naira earmarked for local government areas (LGAs). Yet, the glaring question remains: where are these funds, and what has been done with them?
While many Nigerians express their frustrations towards the President and the federal government, it is crucial to also hold our state governors accountable. The governors have been receiving substantial funds, yet there are pervasive issues of mismanagement, profligacy, and corruption.
Reports from the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) indicate that over N40 trillion in federal allocations meant for LGAs have not been accounted for.
Transparency and accountability are essential to ensure that these funds are used for their intended purposes, such as improving infrastructure and services, alleviating poverty, and fostering development. Unfortunately, there is significant opacity in the actual disbursement and spending of these allocations. State governors do not feel obligated to disclose to us how these funds are distributed and utilized, leading to widespread suspicions about corruption and misappropriation.
The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursed to states N225.21 billion federal allocations meant for local governments in November 2023 alone. States also collected N258,810,449,711.47 federal allocations meant for local government areas in December 2023.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) had urged the 36 state governors in the country and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Mr Nyesom Wike to disclose details of federal allocations meant for local governments in your state and the FCT and the actual disbursement of the allocations to the local governments since the return of democracy in 1999.
There is dire need for protesters to promptly invite the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the actual disbursement and spending of federal allocations meant for local governments in their states and the FCT.
Nigerians have the right to know the details of actual disbursement and spending of federal allocations in their states and the FCT.
Moreover, the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) reports indicate a substantial increase in allocations under Tinubu’s administration compared to the previous administration. For instance, the allocations to states rose by 53.8% to N4.54 trillion, while local government allocations saw a 76% increase to N3.84 trillion.
Despite this, there is little or nothing concrete to show for these funds in terms of tangible development and improvement in citizens’ welfare.
Recent judicial actions have intensified the demand for transparency. The Supreme Court recently ruled that it is unconstitutional for state governors to withhold funds meant for LGAs, ordering that these funds be paid directly to the local governments. This landmark decision aims to prevent the persistent misappropriation by state governors and enhance the autonomy of local government administrations.
Furthermore, the Federal Government has also taken legal steps to ensure the direct disbursement of funds to LGAs. In a suit filed by the Attorney General of the Federation, the FG sought full autonomy for LGAs, aiming to prohibit state governors from controlling these funds and to ensure they are used for their intended purposes.
It is imperative for protesters nationwide to shift focus to their states and demand explanations from their governors. Citizens must insist that governors address these issues in town hall meetings, providing detailed accounts of how the funds have been used, including specific projects undertaken, their costs, and the benefits to the community. This call for transparency is not just a demand for information but a step towards ensuring that public resources are not diverted into private pockets but are used for the public good.
Ultimately, while it is necessary to hold the President and the federal government accountable, equal scrutiny must be placed on state governors. They need to explain their expenditure of federal and LGA allocations. They need to explain what they’ve done with13% derivation funds (Where applicable), ecological and other funds acruable monthly. Only through such accountability can we hope to combat corruption and foster a governance culture that genuinely serves the people.
For more detailed and disturbing information, you can refer to revealing reports from
[SERAP]
(https://serap-nigeria.org) and recent analyses from
[Nairametrics]
(https://nairametrics.com).
Hon. Chima Nnadi-Oforgu
OBLONG MEDIA UNLIMITED 
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