Group Accuses Gov. Abdulrazaq of Interference in Councils’ Funds, Demands Clarification on N461m FG Paid to Each Kwara LG

A Kwara-based pro-democracy group, the People’s Voice Advocacy Network (PVAN) says it is deeply concerned about the recent developments surrounding the management of funds allocated to local government councils in Kwara State.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by its Deputy Publicity Secretary, Engr. Abdulraheem Kehinde, the group accused the Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq-led administration of concealing details of and interfering with local government finances, despite the financial autonomy granted the third tier of government.

The group demanded answers from the state government over the N461million disbursed to each local government in the state and the recent N210million Governor Abdulrazaq allegedly gave to each of the 16 council chairmen to execute projects.

The statement reads in part: “It has come to our attention that the Federal Government disbursed the sum of N461million to each local government council across the country–including the 16 LGs in Kwara–as a signature bonus. However, while a certain state governor, also from North Central, has publicly made announcement of this payment, there has been no public disclosure from the Kwara State Government confirming the receipt of these funds, though the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Rafiu Ajakaye confirmed during a Whatsapp conversation a few days ago that Kwara LGs were getting the money, too.

“We are further disturbed by reports we got from government sources that Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq recently approved for distribution the sum of N210million to each of the 16 local government councils in the state for project implementation.

“While we really do not know the source of these funds allegedly paid to the councils, as there is no public disclosure from the state government, we want to believe that this N210million must have been deducted from the N461million disbursed to each of the councils by the Federal Government. This is because there had been no instance of Governor Abdulrazaq releasing such amount of money to the councils.

“If the sum of N210million the state government allegedly paid to the councils was actually from the N461million given to them by the federal government, it means each of the 16 councils still has a balance of N251million with the state government, making a total of N4.16billion. The question now is, where’s the balance and why did the state government not release the whole money meant for the councils? This development raises serious concerns s about the state government’s interference in local government finances and the lack of transparency and accountability under the present administration.

“Interfering or tampering with local council funds directly contravenes the Supreme Court’s affirmation of financial autonomy for local government councils. Financial autonomy is a cornerstone for effective grassroots governance and development, as it ensures that councils can independently manage their funds and allocate resources to meet the needs of their respective communities.

“With governors like Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq failing to respect the autonomy of local governments, it will be difficult, if not impossible, for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to achieve its objective of fighting for local government financial autonomy, which is to strengthen local governance and promote transparency at the grassroots level.

“As a group known for advocating transparency and accountability in governance, we demand that the Abdulrazaq-led government confirm receipt of the N461million disbursed to each local government council by the Federal Government. We also demand the State government clarify the alleged payment of N210million to each of the 16 local councils and disclose the source of the payment. The citizens of Kwara State deserve to know how resources meant for their welfare are being allocated and utilised.

“Additionally, we urge the state government to respect the constitutional and legal financial autonomy of local government councils and desist from all forms of interference in their funds, including the use of consultants to pay monthly salaries of local government employees. We strongly believe that transparency and accountability in the management of LG funds are non-negotiable principles for ensuring the development of our local communities.

“As an advocacy network committed to promoting good governance, we call on all relevant stakeholders, civil society organisations, the media and concerned Kwarans to join us in demanding accountability from the Kwara State Government. Together, we must advocate and ensure that local government councils operate as independent entities, delivering essential services to the people at the grassroots. This, we believe, was the goal of President Tinubu administration’s fight for local government financial autonomy. Governors like Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq must not be allowed to truncate this lofty goal.”

Signed:
Engr. Abdulraheem Kehinde,
Deputy Publicity Secretary,
People’s Voice Advocacy Network (PVAN).