Give account for over N40 trillion LGA allocations or face legal action – SERAP tells governors, Wike

The 36 state governors of Nigeria as well as Mr. Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have been urged by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to “disclose details of federal allocations meant for local governments in your state and the FCT and the actual disbursement of the allocations to the local governments since the return of democracy in 1999.”

Additionally, since May 1999, SERAP has encouraged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) to look into the real distribution and use of federal monies intended for local governments in your state and the Federal Territory.

Nigerians have a right to know the specifics of how federal funds are actually allocated and spent in the states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), according to the organization’s freedom of information request dated January 27 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter,” stated part of the FOI request. with then, if we haven’t heard from you, SERAP will decide whether to take necessary legal action to force the FCT, your state, and you to abide with our requirements in the public good.

Transparency would boost public confidence that the funds would be used to help Nigerians living in these local government areas and ensure that the allocations are not siphoned into private pockets.

“SERAP is gravely concerned that widespread poverty, underdevelopment, and limited access to public goods and services have resulted in several states due to years of allegations of corruption and misuse of federal appropriations intended for local governments.

It is legally your duty to ensure that federal monies intended for local government regions in your state are fully distributed to the local governments and to encourage accountability and transparency in the actual disbursement and spending of these funds.

Our data indicates that the 36 states of Nigeria as well as the federal capital territory, Abuja, have amassed almost N40 trillion in federal funds intended for the 774 local government units around the nation and the FCT.

In November 2023 alone, the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) distributed N225.21 billion in federal funds intended for local governments to the states. In December 2023, states also received N258,810,449,711.47 in federal funds intended for local government units.

The actual distribution of federal appropriations to your state’s local government units, however, is opaque. Over the years, states and the Federal Capital Territory have either failed or declined to reveal the percentage of federal appropriations that state governors distribute.

“SERAP adds that state governors frequently embezzle or siphon federal monies intended for local government regions in their states, according to recent allegations made by former president Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari claims, “If the State receives approximately N100 million in funding from the Federation Account, N50 million will be sent to the chairman, who will sign a receipt for the full amount.” The remaining amount will be kept by the chairman and distributed to whomever he pleases.