A member of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) Governing Board, Sam Onuigbo, has commended Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, for directing that local government funds from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) be sent directly to the councils.
Mr Onuigbo, a former member of the House of Representatives, praised the move as “commendable” and an example for other governors to emulate, saying it will help President Bola Tinubu’s reforms reach the grassroots.
In a letter of commendation to Mr Zulum, dated 2 February, Mr Onuigbo, who is also the Chairman of the Security, Special Intervention and Climate Change Committee in the NEDC, told the governor that posterity will remember his emblematic gesture of transparency and ethical leadership.
He informed Mr Zulum that his declaration that local government council funds should be routed directly to council treasuries rekindles hope in Nigeria.
He said coming from an incumbent governor, the directive vindicated his stance that democracy could not be felt at the grassroots, mainly because of state governors’ control of council allocations and the LG system.
Last week, Mr Zulum ordered direct payment of monthly federal allocations to the 27 LGAs of Borno State. He said the move was intended to boost transparency and empower local government chairpersons for grassroots development.
Mr Onuigbo said he decided to commend the governor for the courage and purposeful leadership he demonstrated by siding with Nigeria’s constitution, democratic due process and the common masses.
“My attention was drawn to a piece of joyous report regarding Your Excellency’s firm directive that the monthly (federal) allocations to the 27 Local Government Councils of Borno State should be paid directly to the various councils.
“I was also elated that Your Excellency’s order was specifically to boost transparency in local government finances and empower the local government council chairpersons to actualise and speed up grassroots development.
“Your Excellency, I am highly excited that such a succinct directive came from an incumbent state chief executive. I feel vindicated because over the years, I have been at the forefront of advocacy for the financial autonomy of local government councils.
“My call on your colleague governors to take their hands off Local Government Council funds was at great personal and political costs. As a former commissioner in my state, as yourself, I had first-hand knowledge of how far financial constraints hampered local government council bosses from optimum performance of their constitutional responsibilities,” the letter read.
Mr Onuigbo prayed for more wisdom for the governor and said local government chairpersons in Borno State can now prove their mettle and help in fighting insecurity, unemployment and anti-social behaviours among young people.
He recalled President Tinubu’s charge to governors to let funds trickle down and help the masses, saying democracy delivers when each tier of government fulfils its function.
