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ABUJA — Governors struggled last night to extricate themselves from President Muhammadu Buhari’ accusation that they loot local government funds.

But governors who reacted to the President’s point-blank accusation yesterday, said they were not among those diverting local government funds.

Those who reacted include Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom; David Umahi of Ebonyi State;  AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State; Solomon Lalong of Plateau State; Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Nyesom Wike of Rivers State

Efforts to get other governor to react at press time last night, however, did not yield results.

Reacting yesterday, Benue State Government distanced itself from the allegation by the president, saying Governor Samuel Ortom was the first to embrace LG financial autonomy and couldn’t have been involved in stealing LG funds.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Terver Akase, said:  “If other states are stealing local government funds, it is not in Benue.

“Governor Samuel Ortom does not steal local government funds because he is a transparent governor. Recall that when the Federal Government started sending money directly to local governments, he was the first who embraced it.

“When the judiciary was to be given autonomy, he was the first to accept it. He is someone, who has no skeletons in his cupboard.

“If that allegation is true in other states, it is not the same in Benue State because our governor is transparent and he believes in the rule of law. He allows government agencies to operate as provided by law.

”That is why he has conducted more elections for the local governments than any other time in the history of the state. He has allowed democracy to be entrenched at the local government level.

”As we speak, we have elected local government chairmen and councillors in place. He does not interfere in the running of the local governments. So, that allegation does not obtain in Benue State.

“I am not saying the President is wrong but what I am saying is that it does not happen in Benue State. Our governor does not pilfer, embezzle or steal local government funds.”

Kwara doesn’t come under that tag, says Governor Abdulrazaq’s aide.

On his part, Rafiu Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, said the state doesn’t come under the radar of the President’s comment.

He said:  “Mr. President’s comments on the subject matter; to my understanding, have some measures of specificity. It was not a blanket statement. To that extent, we decline comment as Kwara doesn’t come under the tag. Thank you, sir. “

Such accusation does not apply to us – EBONYI GOV

Reacting in a similar manner, Special Assistant to Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State on Media and Strategy, Mr. Chooks Oko, said the allegation by President Muhammadu Buhari doesn’t apply to Ebonyi State, considering the quantum of projects executed under the present administration in the state.

He said:  “The quantum of development going on in Ebonyi will leave no one in doubt that such accusation does not apply to my governor.

“We have won several awards from the World Bank on fiscal prudence, accountability and transparency and they clearly stand Umahi out as one who uses allocations for what they are meant for.”

Plateau treats LGs fairly, gives them free hand to operate – GOVT

Also reacting, Plateau State government denied treating local government unfairly, saying Governor Simon Lalong always gave the local government a free hand to operate.

State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dan Manjang, said:  “The local governments on the Plateau are the first in the country to enjoy autonomy.”

Buhari’s accusation does not apply to Rivers

Similarly, Chris Finebone, Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, said: “I can’t say to what extent the President could defend the allegation. What I’m hundred per cent sure of is that his accusation does not apply to Rivers State.

“I hear some governors dip hands into LG funds, but in Rivers, the governor, rather augments LG finances to keep them solvent, so that they can regularly pay teachers salaries and benefits to their staff as at when due. That has been the tradition under Governor Nyesom Wike,” he said.

We don’t tamper with LG funds-OGUN GOVT

Contacted yesterday, the Ogun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Waheed Odusile said: “This is not applicable to us in Ogun State, we don’t tamper with local government funds.”