The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked President Bola Tinubu to stop federal allocations to states that have not conducted local government elections.
The organization said only democratically elected local government councils should get money from the Federation Account as provided by the Constitution.
In an open letter dated October 5, 2024 and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the group asked President Tinubu to direct the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy to stop federal funds to these states.
The organization has given a 7-day ultimatum and threatened to take legal action if demands are not met.
Also, SERAP asked President Tinubu to tell us how many local government councils have received direct federal allocations and whether those councils were democratically elected as provided by the 1999 Constitution. This follows a Supreme Court judgment of July 11, 2024 that only elected councils are entitled to federal funding.
Call for Anti-Corruption Oversight
To ensure accountability, SERAP further asked President Tinubu to involve both the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to track and monitor how federal allocations to local government councils are spent.
The organization said enforcing the Constitution and checking the excesses of state governors who have been accused of manipulating local government elections or not conducting them at all.
Governors and Local Council Elections
SERAP is concerned about the undue influence of governors and their godfathers in local government elections.
The organization said councils should not be controlled by governors or their “godfathers”.
The President has a duty to uphold the Constitution and ensure federal allocations get to only democratically elected councils which are key to good governance and development of local communities.
Local government councils are entitled to direct federal payments from the Federation Account and governors have no business controlling or managing these funds. Withholding allocations from states that have not conducted free and fair local elections is in line with the principle of the rule of law.
Mismanagement and Corruption
SERAP expressed worry over the mismanagement of federal funds meant for local government councils.
The group said trillions of naira have been wasted by state governments.
Despite receiving huge federal funds, many states have not seen improvement in basic public services, millions of Nigerians are in poverty.
In November 2023 alone, N225.21 billion was released to states as federal allocations for local governments and N258.81 billion in December 2023. But the organisation said this huge funds have not translate to better living conditions for many citizens, especially in states where local elections have been delayed or manipulated.
Impact on Vulnerable Nigerians
SERAP said the continued failure to hold local elections and the mismanagement of federal allocations is having a direct and negative impact on millions of socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians.
Despite increased allocations, many Nigerians still do not have access to basic services like healthcare, education and infrastructure.
The group cited Section 162(3)(5) of the Nigerian Constitution which states that federal allocations to local governments must be paid directly to them without interference from state governors.
It said holding states accountable for their actions will promote good governance and ensure that public funds are used for the people.
Since over N40 trillion has been distributed to Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT since 1999, SERAP thinks it’s time to enforce local government elections strictly so that these funds are used well.
SERAP is still pushing for immediate action on this, asking the federal government to take concrete steps to ensure all states comply with the constitutional requirements for local government.
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