WARNING! Tinubu’s Government Declares No Pardon To Elected Officials, Vows To Jail Them Over Corruption; See Details
The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to elected officials collaborating with governors to divert funds allocated to Nigeria’ s 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs). Attorney- General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, made this announcement during the 2024 Annual General Conference of the Abuja Chapter of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents.
Fagbemi highlighted that diverting Local Government funds is not only a grave violation but also an impeachable offense for governors involved in such activities. He accused some state governors of manipulating local government elections to install loyalists, ensuring easier diversion of funds meant for grassroots development.
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Although the Federal Government cannot directly interfere in local government elections due to constitutional limitations, Fagbemi assured that legal actions would be pursued against any officials found guilty of fund mismanagement. ” Local Government officials do not have immunity and can be prosecuted for financial improprieties, ” he emphasized.
Fagbemi reaffirmed the government’ s commitment to enforcing the Supreme Court’ s judgment, which guarantees financial autonomy to Local Governments. He noted that President Bola Tinubu has resisted pressure to compromise on this issue, demonstrating his administration’ s resolve to protect Local Government funds and ensure their proper utilization.
The AGF lamented the deplorable state of many Local Government Secretariats across the country, attributing this to the mismanagement of funds. He further disclosed that his office might initiate new legal challenges to address state governments’ dominance over Area Council elections, which often compromise the autonomy and efficiency of local administrations.
This move aligns with the Federal Government’ s broader agenda to promote transparency and accountability in governance. By targeting officials who collude in corrupt practices, the administration aims to send a strong message against financial mismanagement.
Fagbemi’ s remarks come amidst growing concerns about the role of Local Governments in fostering development. He argued that empowering Local Governments with adequate financial resources and ensuring their accountability is critical for addressing grassroots challenges and enhancing citizens’ well- being.
Meanwhile, efforts to implement the Supreme Court’ s ruling on Local Government autonomy are advancing. The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) recently announced that a technical document supporting the judgment has been finalized and endorsed by a committee comprising federal, state, and local government representatives.
This development marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’ s governance reform, signaling the Federal Government’ s determination to uphold the rule of law and prioritize the needs of its citizens.
By cracking down on the diversion of Local Government funds, the government aims to foster good governance and drive sustainable development across the nation.
The Federal Government’ s proactive stance is expected to encourage more prudent management of Local Government resources, laying a solid foundation for improved service delivery and grassroots empowerment.
