Peasant Empowerment Concern Initiative (PECi) has called for the freeze of accounts of 35 state governments for allegedly sabotaging the financial autonomy of the 774 local councils in the country.
PECi, in a joint statement by the national coordinator, Senator Ita Enang, and publicity secretary, Mr. Osita Okechukwu claimed that going by the records of the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC); the milestone financial autonomy of local government councils initiated by President Bola Tinubu is in danger as only Delta State complied, while 35 States have refused to open accounts with CBN as directed.
PECi blamed the state governors for the unwholesome act of placing their selfish interests above the overall interests of the vast population of underprivileged Nigerians at the third-tier level of governance.
The group noted that the peasant empowerment and development gains intendment of local government financial autonomy, being blocked by the State Governors will further impoverish our citizenry, fuel urban migration, kidnapping, and spread rural diseases.
PECi frowned at the intimidation and coercion strategy allegedly adopted by the Governors, who cynically prefer commercial bank’s domiciliary accounts lodgment easy to manipulate more than CBN accounts that are out of their control.
PECi challenged all progressives to join hands to give life to the financial autonomy of local government councils; as the only toolkit to stop State Governors who for 25 years have converted it to slush funds, thereby sabotaging the development of rural areas.
It could be recalled that on July 14, 2024, the Supreme Court in a landmark judgment granted financial autonomy to the 774 local government councils in Nigeria, which was followed up by the directive that all local government councils shall open domiciliary accounts with CBN.
PECi reminisced on how the EFCC up to date unfortunately is still burdened with the trial of many State Governors who pilfered local government funds for personal gains.
The group said it would be untoward and regrettable that after Nigerians had jubilated with the liberation of local government funds, with this progressive policy, Nigerians are still held hostage by State Governors who for 25 years frustrated the amendment of the 1999 Constitution in favour of local government autonomy.
PECi submitted that mismanagement of local government councils’ funds for personal gains over the years has stifled democracy and sabotaged empowerment at the grassroots level, hence watering down the President’s milestone legacy.
PECi appealed to Mr President to freeze the accounts of state governments that obstruct the direct allocation of funds to local government councils to accelerate the development of rural areas and deepen democracy at the grassroots level.
