Activist Backs Tinubu’s Directive On LG Financial Autonomy

Rights activist Jonathan Emmanuel, Monday, declared his support for President Bola Tinubu’s call on state governors to stop interfering with local government allocations. According to him, “the move is timely and critical for grass-roots development”.

Jonathan, one-time Special Assistant to ex-Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, told THE WHISTLER in Enugu that President Tinubu’s insistence on respecting LG autonomy should be abided by. He however warned that “autonomy without accountability could worsen corruption at the council level”.

In his view, LG chairmen who “allow governors to tamper with council funds often forget their constitutional responsibility as accounting officers”.

He argued that financial independence should be matched with strict oversight, and called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to begin a comprehensive review of funds received by council chairmen since assuming office.

Quoting him, “Nigerians deserve to know how these resources are being managed. Autonomy without accountability is a recipe for abuse.”

He questioned why local government chairmen “fail to show the same level of responsibility and transparency in safeguarding council funds”. He decried what he described as the “wicked and inhuman conduct of some council chairmen who squander public funds on jamborees and frivolities while rural communities lack basic amenities”.

According to him, “Many councils are burdened with urgent developmental challenges, yet chairmen often prioritise personal interests over public welfare.”

He criticised the practice of exaggerating minor projects through media hypes, adding that,
“This unfortunate trend is evident among some Local Government chairmen in Enugu North Senatorial District of Enugu State.”

He called on well-meaning Nigerians to support President Tinubu’s efforts “by ensuring that local government allocations are properly monitored and judiciously utilised”.

He regretted that “Council budgets are often abandoned after ceremonial presentations, while funds are quietly diverted to irrelevant or self-serving projects”.

He added, “True local government autonomy must be anchored on transparency, prudence, and genuine service to the people. Anything short of this only deepens the suffering of rural communities and betrays the very essence of grass-roots governance.”