A former member of the House of Representatives, Sam Onuigbo, has charged governors to emulate their counterpart in Borno State, Professor Babagaba Zulum, by taking their hands-off local government council fund.
Zulum had given directive that local government funds from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) should be sent directly to the councils.
Onuigbo, in a letter of commendation to Zulum, praised the governor for setting a sterling example for other state governors to emulate and ensure that President Bola Tinubu’s initiatives bear fruits at the grass roots.
The member of Governing Board of North East Development Commission (NEDC), assured the Borno State Governor that posterity would remember his emblematic gesture of transparency and ethical leadership.
Also, he informed Zulum that his declaration that Local Government Council funds should be routed directly to council treasuries has rekindle hope in Nigeria, pointing out that 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.
He said he decided to commend the governor for the courage and purposeful leadership he demonstrated by siding with the Nigeria’s constitution, democratic due process and the common masses.
He said: “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 actualize and speed up grassroots development.
“Your Excellency, I am highly excited that such succinct directive came from an incumbent State Chief executive. I feel vindicated, because over the years, I have been in 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 SUN NEWS
