…As C’River HoS commends State Assembly on LG amendment law
A faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday, threatened to take legal actions against any governor, especially those from the South-East that divert local council funds.

In a statement in Abakaliki, the Deputy National President of the faction, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, noted that the heinous practice of utilising local council resources by governors for personal gain must end.

He charged council chairmen, especially those from the South-East to grasp the gravity of their positions and disallow any deductions from their account by any governor, reminding them that they will account for every kobo spent.

He further reminded them that the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has a mandate to rigorously monitor the management and utilisation of these funds.

The statement reads: “The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, stands resolutely at the helm of integrity and accountability in governance, issuing this unequivocal statement to all chairmen of local councils across Nigeria, with a special emphasis on the 95 councils within the South-East.

“Recent developments necessitate this forthright warning that any attempt to unlawfully divert council funds for personal enrichment by governors will not only be met with vehement opposition but will also incur stringent legal repercussions.

“The directive from the Federal Government mandating the establishment of dedicated accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for direct allocations from the Federation Account is a monumental step forward in ensuring transparency and proper governance.”

MEANWHILE, the Cross River State Head of Civil Service (HOS) has commended the State House of Assembly for the ongoing amendment of the Local Government Law.

The HOS, Dr Innocent Eteng, gave the commendation yesterday during a public hearing on the Local Government Amendment Bill 2025 held at the Assembly’s complex.

He noted that the proposed amendment of the status of Heads of Local Government Administrators (HOLGAs) to that of permanent secretaries is a welcomed development.

Eteng added that this will enhance service delivery by local council staff, stressing that such appointments will ultimately be at the instance of the governor in synergy with the chairman of the Local Government Service Commission and his office.

The Local Government Amendment Bill 2025 had earlier passed through the first and second readings before it was committed to a joint committee of Local Government, Judiciary and Public Accounts for stakeholders’ inputs.