From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Kaduna State chapter, has dismissed reports alleging that Governor Uba Sani hijacked local government funds in the state, describing the claims as false, misleading and devoid of factual basis.
Speaking on behalf of the 23 local government councils in the state, ALGON Chairman, Hon. Jamilu Abubakar, faulted a report published by SaharaReporters which alleged that council chairmen receive as little as N25 million monthly despite federal allocations ranging between N500 million and N600 million.
Abubakar said the report lacked factual foundation and appeared to have been written by individuals unfamiliar with local government finance and the legal framework governing local government administration in Kaduna State.
According to him, Kaduna State has remained at the forefront of implementing local government autonomy, with officials adequately trained in electronic payment systems and structures put in place to guarantee the direct disbursement of salaries, pensions and other statutory obligations.
He stated that the process fully complies with the Supreme Court judgment delivered in July 2024 on local government autonomy, adding that every council presiding officer receives monthly allocation statements.
Abubakar explained that local government funds are transparently utilised for critical responsibilities including security, primary healthcare, basic education and rural infrastructure development.
Reacting to allegations that there were no visible projects at the grassroots level, the ALGON chairman said local governments in the state had executed several developmental projects, including rural electrification, borehole drilling, renovation of primary healthcare centres and road grading.
He disclosed that more than 400 projects had been documented across the 23 local government areas within the past year, many of them executed through joint funding arrangements with the Kaduna State Government under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani.
Abubakar also dismissed claims that council chairmen avoid their respective local government areas for fear of public backlash, insisting that council officials regularly engage with their communities through weekly meetings and other activities.
“Elections are not a reason for apprehension; they are an opportunity for accountability. No local government in Kaduna State is without active, visible and purposeful leadership,” he said.
The ALGON chairman challenged the anonymous council chairman quoted in the report to publicly provide verifiable evidence supporting claims of hijacked local government funds.
He further called on SaharaReporters to identify the officials allegedly involved in the claims and publish a public retraction and apology within 48 hours across its website and social media platforms.
Abubakar reaffirmed Governor Uba Sani’s commitment to local government autonomy, transparency and grassroots development, noting that ALGON Kaduna remains fully aligned with the grassroots development vision of President Bola Tinubu.
He also urged media organisations to verify facts before publishing reports capable of misleading the public.
