Former Senator Shehu Sani has raised concerns about the potential misuse of funds by local government (LG) chairmen despite the recent Supreme Court ruling mandating direct fund allocation to LGs.
In a pointed tweet, Sani remarked, “Your Excellency Sir, I received the alert what should I do with it?” Despite the Supreme Court ruling, many LG chairmen will still behave like this when their account is credited directly.”
The Supreme Court’s decision, which declared the practice of state governors (govs) holding onto LG funds as unconstitutional, was hailed as a victory for local governance and financial autonomy. The ruling directed that funds from the Federation Account be paid directly to the 774 LGs, bypassing state governments that have been accused of diverting these funds.
However, Sani’s tweet highlights a lingering issue: the integrity and accountability of LG chairmen. His statement suggests that some LG officials may still seek guidance from state governors on how to use these funds, potentially undermining the autonomy intended by the Supreme Court’s ruling.
The tweet has sparked a broader conversation about the effectiveness of the ruling and the need for systemic reforms to ensure that LG funds are used for their intended purposes. Sani’s concerns echo those of many who fear that without proper oversight and transparency, the funds might not lead to meaningful development at the grassroots level.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who brought the suit to the Supreme Court, argued for the financial independence of LGs, citing gross misconduct and abuse of power by state govs. Justice Emmanuel Agim, in his lead judgment, emphasized the need for LGs to manage their own funds, a right that had been denied for over two decades….Seë_Morë