FG’s N461 Million Bonus to, Local Govts: Why is Kwara Govt, Council chairmen Silent Over Payment ?

By Abdulyekeen Mohd Bashir

Earlier today, a news item shared in a WhatsApp group I belong to, ‘Kwara Commission’, caught my attention. The report highlighted an announcement by Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State that the Federal Government had disbursed the sum of N461 million to each of the 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the State as a signature bonus. It was reported that Governor Sule emphasised that the state government would not interfere with the funds and warned the local government chairmen against misuse, urging them to channel the money towards impactful development initiatives.

This report, shared by the Publisher of Confidence News, spurred reactions within the WhatsApp platform, with one member asking whether the funds were exclusive to Nasarawa State or had been extended to all LGAs across the country, including Kwara’s 16 local government councils.

It was at this point that Rafiu Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary to Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, joined the conversation. He confirmed that the funds were indeed allocated to all LGAs nationwide. “All LGAs across Nigeria are getting it. We are also getting it in Kwara, and the LGAs will deploy it to the use deemed more impactful or relevant to their peculiarities and obligations,” Ajakaye said.

However, his carefully worded response—”we are also getting it in Kwara”—raises questions. It contrasts with Governor Sule’s explicit statement that “the sum of N461 million had been disbursed to each of the 13 Local Councils of Nasarawa State by the Federal Government as a signature bonus.” Can the Kwara State government confirm if it has received the payment or not?

This development, once again, underscores the recurring issues of transparency and accountability in Governor Abdulrazaq’s administration. These are issues we have consistently highlighted. If not for this WhatsApp conversation, the public in Kwara would have remained unaware of the payment of N461 million to each of the 16 LGAs in the state.

As the state where the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum hails from, announcements of such as this should first be made in Kwara, but that has never been the case. Everything is shrouded in secrecy. Governor Abdulrazaq and his officials only mouth transparency and accountability, they don’t act it. As the NGF Chairman, Governor Abdulrazaq should lead by example and set a higher standard of transparency.

The following questions demand answers: Was the payment made to the State and LGs’ Joint Account, or directly to the individual accounts of the 16 LGAs? Why was there no formal disclosure of the payment? Can Governor Abdulrazaq assure the public, as Governor Sule did, that the state government will not tamper with these funds meant for the local councils?

Now to the council chairmen, I challenge you all to come public to confirm this payment and tell the public what you have done or intend to do with the funds. You all should always remember that you will be held accountable for the funds and resources of your respective councils, and not the governor. Anyone of you who mismanages or loot LG funds will be prosecuted and dealt with accordingly. A word is enough for the wise, as this isn’t a threat but an admonition.

Abdulyekeen Mohd Bashir, a Kwara-born political analyst writes from Jericho Mall, Ibadan.