By Ahmed Rufa’i
The Partnership for Inclusive Local Governance and Budget (PILGOB) has urged the Jigawa State House of Assembly to investigate alleged illegal withholding and deductions from funds meant for local government councils in the state.
The civil society coalition said the call became necessary in view of ongoing national efforts by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthen local government autonomy through the direct release of statutory allocations from the Federal Government to the councils.
In a statement issued in Dutse, the state capital, and made available to TRUTHS FINDER, the Secretary-General of PILGOB, Comrade Ahmed Illah Hadejia, alleged that documents in the possession of the organisation indicated that the 27 local government councils in Jigawa State had experienced restrictions in accessing and spending their monthly federal allocations for several months.
According to the statement, the group had closely monitored reports and public discussions circulating on both social media and conventional media platforms concerning alleged misappropriation, withholding of local government funds, unlawful deductions from council allocations, and other financial irregularities affecting councils in the state.
PILGOB, a coalition of civil society and community-based organisations committed to promoting inclusiveness, transparency and accountability in local governance in Jigawa State, called on the House of Assembly to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the alleged financial mismanagement.
Comrade Hadejia drew the attention of the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, to the provisions of Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers State Houses of Assembly to ensure the proper structure, composition, finance and functioning of democratically elected local government councils.
He explained that the constitutional responsibility also includes legislative oversight of the financial management and operational activities of local government administrations.
“The oversight function of the Assembly is critical to ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of public resources at the grassroots level. It also involves investigating allegations of corruption, inefficiency or abuse of office where necessary,” the statement said.
The coalition therefore called for a thorough and independent probe into the financial activities of all the 27 local government councils in the state to ensure that funds meant for grassroots development are properly managed and utilised.
PILGOB also noted that the ongoing reforms championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure the direct disbursement of local government allocations from the Federal Government were aimed at strengthening grassroots governance, promoting accountability and guaranteeing that resources reach communities for development.
According to the group, ensuring transparency in the management of council funds would align with the Federal Government’s push for local government financial autonomy and deepen democratic governance at the grassroots.
The coalition added that a prompt and transparent response by the Assembly would strengthen public trust in the legislature and reinforce confidence in the administration of Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, while reassuring citizens of the government’s commitment to accountability and good governance.
