Politics
NULGE Raises Concerns-Nigerian Governors Accused Of Undermining Local Governments (Details)
In March 2022, the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly passed a bill granting full financial and administrative autonomy to local government areas. The bill aimed to amend the constitution, eliminating the state joint local government account and establishing a special account for the direct payment of allocations to local government councils from the federation account…..CONTINUE READING....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Each local government council, as outlined in the bill, was required to create and maintain its own special account called the Local Government Allocation Account, into which all allocations would be deposited. The move was prompted by the need to address issues of mismanagement and interference by some governors, who, for personal interests, had hindered the functions of the closest government to the people.
Section 162 of the 1999 constitution stipulates the allocation of funds among the federal, state, and local governments. Despite indicating that funds due to local governments should be paid through the state, it underscores that the state is merely a conduit for the money to reach the local governments.
In 2019, the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) set a deadline for the direct allocation of local government funds to their respective bank accounts, a directive vigorously opposed by state governors.
On December 1, 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari criticized state governors, accusing them of fraudulent mismanagement of local government allocations. Former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, highlighted the constitutional loopholes that governors exploited to prevent the direct allocation of funds to local governments. He emphasized the need to address this “fundamental flaw in our legislation.”
Governors in various states have consistently undermined the authority of local government areas, sometimes suspending elected officials regardless of popular mandates. The National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) expressed concern over the situation, advocating for local government autonomy and condemning the interference by some governors.
The 10th Senate, led by Speaker Godswill Akpabio, is taking steps to curb the impunity of state governors in meddling with local government affairs. One significant move is urging the federal government to halt statutory allocations to local government councils with unelected chairpersons, addressing the issue of caretaker committees appointed by some governors.
Senator Abba Moro, in a motion, highlighted the unconstitutional nature of the situation, specifically identifying governors, such as Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, running local government affairs with caretaker committees. The Senate, passing the motion, declared this practice contrary to constitutional provisions.
NULGE President Akeem Ambali described the current state of local government affairs as pathetic, emphasizing the urgent need for local government autonomy. He attributed the challenges to the hindrance posed by some governors, particularly citing the actions of former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi against local government autonomy.
Ambali called for the conduct of local government elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure fairness and transparency. Additionally, he urged direct funding of local governments from the federal government, bypassing state governments. Ambali sought President Bola Tinubu’s support for local government development and endorsed the Senate’s motion to stop allocations to states without elected local government officials, emphasizing that undemocratic practices must cease.
The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) began nationwide on Thursday, with over 2.2 million candidates expected to participate across accredited centres.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The exam, conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), will run from April 16 to April 22 in multiple daily sessions.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, urged examination officials to remain highly committed and professional, noting that the success of the exercise depends largely on their dedication.
He gave the charge during a virtual final briefing for technical officers ahead of the examination, where he also praised staff, ad hoc personnel, service providers, and technical advisers for their roles in the successful conduct of the mock exam.
Oloyede said many of the issues recorded during the mock exercise were due to poor assessment of centres by some technical officials.
He further stated that incentive packages would be awarded to teams that perform exceptionally, particularly in handling exam materials and submitting timely reports.
Reiterating JAMB’s zero-tolerance stance on malpractice, he warned candidates against bringing prohibited items into examination halls.
He also disclosed that biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems have been deployed to protect the integrity of the exercise.
Candidates whose biometrics cannot be verified, he added, will be rescheduled to write the exam at approved centres.
Meanwhile, a NAN correspondent monitoring proceedings at Aduvie International School, Jahi, reported that the first session scheduled for 8:30 a.m. began slightly behind schedule at about 8:40 a.m.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has told a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that a Nigerian international passport presented in a London property dispute involving the late Jeremiah Useni is not contained in its official records.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The disclosure was made during the ongoing trial of senior lawyer Mike Ozekhome and Ponfa Useni before Justice Chizoba Oji of the FCT High Court.
The case centres on allegations of forgery, impersonation, and the use of false documents in a bid to claim ownership of a London property said to be linked to the late Useni.
An Immigration officer, Aridegbe Akim, who testified as the first prosecution witness, told the court that passport number A07535463 allegedly issued to one Tali Shani could not be traced in the agency’s database.
He explained that all Nigerian passports are electronically registered and can be verified through the system, but no matching record was found for the document in question.
Under cross-examination, the witness maintained that while the passport resembled genuine travel documents, it lacked any verifiable issuance record, which is required for authenticity.
Following the testimony, the prosecution requested additional time to present another witness, which was not opposed by the defence. The court adjourned the matter to May 18 for continuation of hearing.
The Federal Government, through the Attorney General’s office, is accusing the defendants of forging an international passport and legal documents allegedly used to support claims over a property at 79 Randall Avenue, London.
Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, has described former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent television interview as a “disaster,” saying it exposed a lack of clarity and vision.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Dare made the remarks in a statement posted on his handle on Thursday, where he said Atiku’s 2027 presidential ambition is “dead on arrival.”
He argued that the interview did not project leadership or policy direction, but instead revealed contradictions and what he called a lack of substance on key national issues.
According to him, Atiku failed to present a clear alternative to the ongoing economic reforms, offering what he described as criticism without a workable roadmap.
Dare also said the former Vice President’s comments alienated several political and social groups, insisting that the interview reflected grievance rather than unity or leadership.
He maintained that Nigeria is currently undergoing necessary reforms, adding that citizens are already seeing progress rather than political promises.
The presidential aide concluded that Atiku is steadily losing political relevance, saying the interview only reinforced doubts about his leadership capacity.
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