ALGON cautions LG chairmen against diverting allocations to govs

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria has issued a warning to local government chairmen against transferring their portion of the Federal Government Allocation to state governors.

According to ALGON, the chairmen are solely responsible for managing and accounting for the funds allocated during their tenure, not the state governors.

This warning follows the ruling by the Supreme Court on July 11, 2024, which declared it unconstitutional for state governors to control funds belonging to local government councils.

The seven-man panel led by Justice Emmanuel Agim ruled that the 774 local government councils across Nigeria should independently manage their funds.

In an interview with Saturday PUNCH, ALGON’s Secretary-General, Mohammed Abubakar, emphasised the importance of financial accountability for LG chairmen.

He stated, “Chairmen must manage their resources and be accountable for them. If they choose to pass their allocation to governors, they will face consequences from financial crime agencies, and the governor will not be there to help them.”

Abubakar also criticised the recent decision by Oyo State chairmen to withdraw from ALGON, attributing it to Governor Seyi Makinde’s stance against LG autonomy.

“Governor Makinde has made it clear that he opposes autonomy. If he can sabotage it, he will. However, the Supreme Court’s decision is final. He may express his views, but he cannot override the ruling,” Abubakar said.

Abubakar noted that 12 out of the 33 chairmen in Oyo State supported the autonomy and would receive ALGON’s backing in implementing it.

Reacting, Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, refuted claims of division among the chairmen.

He said, “Oyo State Government’s stand on the issue of LG autonomy is already entrenched in the public domain. It is to the benefit of the grassroots which is the target of our developmental policy.”