Politics
SERAP Urges Tinubu To Withhold States Allocations For Failing To Conduct Credible Elections
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu “to direct Mr Olawale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, to immediately withhold federal allocations to states that have failed and/refused to conduct credible local government elections, and to ensure that any allocations from the Federation Account is paid only to democratically elected local government councils and no other body or institution.”
The SERAP also urged him “to provide details of the number of local government councils that have directly received federal allocations and whether the councils are democratically elected, as provided for by the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and ordered by the Supreme Court in its judgment of 11 July 2024.”
The SERAP urged him “to promptly invite the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to jointly track and monitor the spending of FAAC allocations by democratically elected local government councils across the country.
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In the letter dated 5 October 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “Your government has the obligation to enforce the Nigerian Constitution and to prevent public wrong, including by state governors.”
The SERAP said, “A democratically elected local government council does not and should not exist at the pleasure, whims and caprice of governors or their ‘political godfathers’.”
According to the SERAP, “Your government also has the constitutional obligation to ensure accountability for the spending of federal allocations and immediate compliance with the judgment by the Supreme Court and the rule of law.”
The letter, read in part: “Local government councils are entitled to a direct payment from the Federation Account to promote good governance, people’s welfare and development of local government areas across the country.”
“Where the rule of law reigns, political expediency ought to be sacrificed on the altar of the rule of law so as to guarantee the continued existence of institutions created to promote social values of liberty, orderly conduct and development.”
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”
“It will be entirely consistent with the rule of law to immediately withhold federal allocations to states that have failed and/refused to conduct local government elections and to ensure that any allocations from the Federation Account are paid only to democratically elected councils and no other body or institution.”
“According to our information, the Supreme Court of Nigeria recently ordered the Federal Government to forthwith directly pay funds in the Federation Account only to democratically elected local government councils and no other body or institution.”
“The court also ordered the 36 state governors to ‘ensure democratic governance at the local government level.’”
“The court ruled that state governors have no power to dissolve democratically elected local government councils within their states and replace the councils with caretaker committees. The court also made ‘an order of immediate compliance by states with the terms of this judgment.’”
“According to our information, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu recently stated that ‘the conduct of Local Government elections in virtually all the States of the Federation has become mere coronation of candidates of the ruling parties. It is time to stop the coronation and conduct proper elections.’”
“SERAP is concerned that local government elections in several states are susceptible to manipulation by governors and other actors.”
“SERAP is concerned that several state governors are failing to organize local government council elections, contrary to section 7(1) of the Nigerian Constitution.”
“SERAP is also concerned about the allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the spending by governors of federal allocations meant for the local government councils in their states. Trillions of FAAC allocations received by Nigeria’s 36 states have allegedly gone down the drain.”
“The resulting human costs directly threaten the human rights of socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians.”
“Despite the increased allocation from FAAC, millions of residents in several states continue to face extreme poverty and lack access to basic public goods and services.”
“The reported removal of petrol subsidy and the flotation of the naira by the Federal Government has translated into increased FAAC allocations to states and the FCT. However, there is no corresponding improvement in the security and welfare of millions of Nigerians.”
“SERAP notes that Section 162(3)(5) of the Nigerian Constitution provides that the amount standing to the credit of local government councils in the Federation Account shall be distributed to them and be paid directly to them.”
“State governors have no power to keep, control, manage or disburse in any manner allocations from the Federation Account to local government councils.”
“By the terms of the Supreme Court judgment, the 36 state governors are restrained from further collecting, receiving, spending or tampering with local government council funds from the Federation Account for the benefit of local government councils.”
“SERAP notes that section 165 of the Nigerian Constitution and the Allocation of Revenue Act No.1 1982, stipulate that the revenues generated by the government should be credited into the federation account and disbursed monthly among the federal government, states and local governments.”
“SERAP notes that former president Muhammadu Buhari had in December 2022 stated that, ‘If the money from the Federation Account to the State is about N100m, N50m will be sent to the chairman but he will sign that he received N100 million. The chairman will pocket the balance and share it with whoever he wants to share it with.’”
“According to Buhari, ‘If the money from the Federation Account to the State is about N100 million, N50 million will be sent to the chairman but he will sign that he received N100 million. The chairman will pocket the balance and share it with whoever he wants to share it with.’”
“The 36 states in Nigeria and the federal capital territory, Abuja, have reportedly collected over N40 trillion federal allocations meant for the 774 local governments areas in the country and FCT.”
“The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursed to states N225.21 billion federal allocations meant for local governments in November 2023 alone. States also collected N258,810,449,711.47 federal allocations meant for local government areas in December 2023.”
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied reports that it has withdrawn the list of its 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, describing the reports as rumours.
The APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, made the clarification on Tuesday following reports that the ruling party had withdrawn the campaign council list recently released as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
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Morka, while speaking with TheCable, said there was no basis for the reports, stressing that the party would formally announce any changes to the campaign council list.
“It’s rumour. If there is any change to the list, it will be formally announced,” he said.
The controversy followed reactions to the composition of the campaign council, with some APC members and stakeholders expressing concerns over the inclusion or exclusion of certain party figures.
The development subsequently fuelled speculation that the party could alter the composition of its campaign structure ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
However, Morka’s latest statement indicates that the APC has not officially withdrawn the list.
He further maintained that any adjustment to the campaign council would be communicated through the appropriate channels of the party.
President Bola Tinubu is seeking re-election in the 2027 presidential election, with the APC already putting structures in place ahead of the polls.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called for greater scrutiny of politicians seeking to lead Nigeria in the 2027 general elections, saying the presentation of academic certificates should not be the only consideration when assessing candidates.
The ACF Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Baba, made the call while speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Tuesday.
Baba said Nigerians have the right to examine the educational background, antecedents, integrity and personal history of anyone seeking the country’s highest political office.
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He said the debate over candidates’ academic qualifications should go beyond the presentation of certificates and focus on whether their personal histories are credible, consistent and transparent.
“If you are presenting yourself for election to the highest office in Nigeria, holding lives together, being the Commander-in-Chief, it is legitimate to ask questions,” Baba said.
He added that Nigerians deserve to know the background of those seeking their votes, stressing that leadership requires transparency and accountability.
“The certificate is not as important as the story itself. It has to be straight. It has to be consistent. If it is not, there is a problem,” he said.
Although Baba acknowledged that the 1999 Constitution does not specifically require presidential candidates to present documentary evidence of every stage of their education, he maintained that questions about candidates’ backgrounds should not simply be dismissed.
“The law is clear, but I want to move away from focusing just on the qualification. You see here, we practise a brand of politics that is different from all those countries you listed,” he said.
The ACF spokesman cited China as an example of a system where aspiring leaders undergo years of scrutiny before reaching top leadership positions.
“In China, you cannot just come from nowhere. You start from the very word and you climb. They have a very leadership selection process that you go through many years before you get to that point,” Baba said.
“By the time you get to the point of leadership, everything is known about you. Everything is scrutinised.”
Baba also criticised Nigeria’s political system, saying standards are often compromised because citizens do not demand sufficient accountability from political actors.
“We are simply flexible in our demands for accountability. There are no standards, and there are no standards because we do not demand standards,” he said.
However, he noted that beyond candidates’ certificates and backgrounds, Nigerians are primarily interested in the impact of governance on their everyday lives.
“What matters to them is the effect of good governance,” Baba said.
He explained that voters want leaders capable of improving healthcare, education, housing, transportation and household welfare.
“At the end of the day, what goes into my pocket? How is my family protected? Would my wife go to the hospital and expect service? Would my children receive quality education?” he asked.
Baba therefore urged political actors to embrace transparency ahead of the 2027 elections, stressing that Nigerians deserve to know the people seeking their votes.
The All Progressives Congress has recorded a clean sweep in the Ebonyi State local government elections, winning all 13 chairmanship and 171 councillorship seats contested in the poll.
The results were announced on Sunday by the Chairman of the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission, Patrick Enyi, at the commission’s office on Onwe Road, Abakaliki.
Among the winners was Osborn Umahi, son of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, who emerged chairman-elect of Ohaozara Local Government Area.
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Other candidates declared winners include Peace Agwu for Ishielu, Paul Ituma for Ohaukwu, Friday Nwuhuo for Ezza North, Chinedu Mkpuma for Ezza South, Chidi Nwode for Ikwo and Timothy Nwachi for Afikpo.
Also declared winners were Ikechukwu Ogbofia for Onicha, Michael Kalu Anyim for Ivo, Simeon Onuoha for Edda, Helen Aduga for Izzi, Chidiebere Alo for Abakaliki and Chibueze Odigwe for Ebonyi Local Government Area.
Enyi described the election as peaceful, free and fair, noting that other political parties participated in the exercise.
He commended voters for turning out to exercise their constitutional rights and appreciated security agencies for providing support throughout the election.
Speaking after his declaration, Umahi commended EBSIEC for what he described as the transparent and peaceful conduct of the election.
He pledged to prioritise rural development, youth empowerment and agricultural transformation during his tenure as chairman.
Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State APC Chairman, Stanley Okoro Emegha, described the party’s sweeping victory as an indication of its dominance in the state.
Emegha said the outcome also demonstrated what he described as the growing acceptance of the APC across Ebonyi, expressing confidence that the party would record another victory in the 2027 general elections.
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