The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to withhold federal allocations to states that have failed to conduct credible local government elections. This comes after elections were held in some states like Rivers, Benue, Akwa Ibom, and Jigawa on October 5, while most states are yet to conduct local government polls but still receive federal allocations.
SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, emphasized that President Tinubu should direct the Minister of Finance, Olawale Edun, to withhold allocations to non-compliant states and ensure payments are made only to democratically elected local government councils. Oluwadare stressed that the Nigerian Constitution and Supreme Court judgment of July 11, 2024, support this stance.
“A democratically elected local government council does not and should not exist at the pleasure, whims, and caprice of governors or their ‘political godfathers’,” Oluwadare said, highlighting the need for accountability and compliance with the rule of law.
Local government councils are entitled to direct payments from the Federation Account to promote good governance and development.
Oluwadare also urged President Tinubu to provide details of the number of local government councils that have directly received federal allocations and whether the councils are democratically elected. He emphasized that the government should enforce the Nigerian Constitution and prevent public wrongs, including by state governors.
SERAP has given President Tinubu a 7-day ultimatum to take action, warning that they will consider legal action if their request is ignored.
