Local governments in Nigeria have become a tragic dumping ground, where state governors usurp resources with impunity. The monthly allocations meant for local government councils from the federation accounts are often hijacked by state governors. Instead of channeling these funds for grassroots development, they amalgamate both state and local council allocations into their coffers.
This blatant misappropriation is not only disheartening but also a significant impediment to local development. Despite the use of local government funds, state governors often deny these councils the financial autonomy needed to drive their own projects, concentrating resources and development efforts exclusively on state capitals.
The recent landmark Supreme Court ruling in favor of financial autonomy for local councils has laid bare the pathological deceit of some governors. During the swearing-in ceremonies of local government council chairmen, many governors falsely claimed to have been granting these councils their due allocations long before the ruling. If there is an iota of truth in their claim, can they prove to the general public the physical development they embark upon in their various local government which justifies the local government allocation received by the local councils? In reality, some governors have harbored animosity towards local governments that failed to deliver convincing votes during elections, turning them into scapegoats. These neglected councils receive no significant appointments in state cabinets and see no developmental projects within their jurisdictions.
The governors’ pretense of executing projects in state capitals serves as a convenient cover-up for their corruption. The pressing question remains: with states having their own allocations, what becomes of the local government funds?
Governors engaging in such corrupt acts should remember that history will not be kind to them. The day of reckoning is near, and those who ride the tiger of corruption should not forget its insatiable appetite. The exploitation of local government resources must end, paving the way for true grassroots development and accountability.
PIONEER NEWS 