An Abia State-based rights group, the Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) says state governors’ continued control of local government funds constitutes a major obstacle to grassroots development and democratic governance in Nigeria.
Despite the verdict by the apex court in Nigeria, securing financial autonomy for the local governments, the practice in many states of the federation is that the state governors, through their cronies elected as Local Government Chairmen, still control funds allocated to the LGAs.
The group is demanding an immediate end to the governor’s control over constitutionally allocated local government funds.
In a press statement made available to The News Chronicle, the FENRAD, through the Executive Director, Comrade Nnanna Nwafor, aligned its position with the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Nigeria’s statutory body on revenue allocation and fiscal federalism.
It emphasized that Local Government Councils are constitutionally recognized as the third tier of government and must enjoy full fiscal autonomy to serve their communities effectively.
According to Nwafor, RMAFC has consistently warned that state interference in local government finances weakens service delivery, fuels corruption, and undermines accountability at the grassroots.
“The Commission has maintained that direct disbursement of funds from the Federation Account to Local Government Councils is critical to improving transparency, governance outcomes, poverty reduction, and the delivery of essential services such as primary healthcare, basic education, sanitation, environmental protection, and rural infrastructure. We align ourselves wholly to this position,” Nwafor said.
The organization expressed concern over what it described as persistent diversion, withholding, and joint control of local government allocations by state governments, despite constitutional provisions and judicial affirmations supporting local government autonomy.
The FENRAD argued that continued financial control by governors has denied communities their right to development and weakened grassroots institutions.
It stressed that financial autonomy is not merely an administrative issue but a matter of public accountability and human rights.
“We want to call on state governors to immediately desist from interference in local government funds. We also urge the Federal Government to enforce direct allocation in compliance with constitutional and judicial directives.
“Oversight and anti-corruption agencies are also expected to investigate alleged abuses of local government finances, while civil society organizations, the media, and citizens must intensify advocacy for transparency and accountability in local governance,” Nwafor advocated.
Nwafor reaffirmed FENRAD’s commitment to promoting transparent governance, environmental justice, human rights protection, and equitable development across Nigeria.
