LG Autonomy: Analyst lambasts A'Ibom Govt as corrupt, unyielding -

LG Autonomy: Analyst lambasts A’Ibom Govt as corrupt, unyielding

A public affairs analyst, Mr Aniekan Johnson has faulted the Government of Akwa Ibom State for what he calls corruption and unwillingness to yield to the directive issued by the National Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU)

He said only a corrupt government would refuse to yield to the NFIU guidelines on the financial autonomy of the local government areas.

It would be recalled that the NFIU had last April issued guidelines on how heads of local government authorities across the country would access and expend their direct funds from the federation account.

The procedure is different from the previous situation when local government funds came through their joint-state accounts and were misappropriated by governors.

Aniekan Johnson who spoke during the Team Nigeria Classic on Inspiration Radio, Uyo lamented that the autonomy has been punctured by Governor Udom Emmanuel which shows an abuse of his office as well as his insensitivity to the welfare of the people.

“It is unfortunate that LG autonomy has been punctured by the very person (Udom Emmanuel) that was elected as governor. It is corruption and abuse of office and it goes to show that Udom does not bother about the welfare of the people.

“In the new arrangement, we have a governor who is using contractors to coerce LG chairmen to sign contracts which then reverts the monies back to the governor.

“We must demand accountability from our LG chairmen. Any government not transparent in finances is corrupt, as far as the 21st century reality is concerned. A governor has no right to decide which project is more important to the local government areas. The people should be able to know what is of priority to them”, he said.

See also PRESS RELEASE Conduct credible, unbiased LG election, Makinde charges OYSIEC …inaugurates commission *'I won't interfere with your activities' Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, on Thursday, inaugurated the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), charging its members to deliver credible, free and fair local government election in the state. The governor stated that the commission, headed by Mr. Isiaka Olagunju, has been saddled with the responsibility of overseeing an election, which outcome will reflect the will of the people. He charged the commission to, within the shortest possible time, make the will of the people prevail by conducting a local government election that is unbiased. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the governor, while speaking at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, venue of the swearing-in, said his administration is ready to conduct the local government election, as it has allocated money for OYSIEC in the 2020 Budget. He promised that his administration would not interfere with the activities of the commission. He said: "I want to thank the House of Assembly for confirming you in a timely manner. I hope that you will also imbibe the sense of urgency and conduct credible local government election in Oyo State within the shortest possible time. “We knew this would come and we already allocated money in the Oyo State Budget for this year to conduct the election. Within the shortest possible time, please give us elected officials at the local government level that are known to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria." Governor Makinde, who said he has not yet indicated whether he will be running for another term in 2023 or not, as it is too early to be thinking of that for now, appealed to the opposition in the state not to overheat the polity. He urged politicians not to see elections as war or a do-or-die affair, but allow the will of people to prevail. "Some parties said they want to unseat me in 2023. It is okay, but I have not indicated the interest to run in 2023, as it is still too early. I may or may not. I have a second address and that is what we want to encourage in our space. “This board will have free hand. If they want to unseat me, it's fine; but they should contest and win many councillorship seats as much as possible so that we can know they are really serious. I will encourage them and others to contest in 2023. "Who knows who is going to be alive in the next hour? We are only sure of this moment. So, they should calm down. Elections should never be war or a do-or-die affair. Election in a democracy should be about the will of the people.” He added that members of the board are men and women of integrity with track records, admonishing them to do the work that will make people of the state proud of them. "I believe that the mandate of this board is to conduct an inclusive election. So, gone are the days when the governor of the state will manipulate matter so that some political parties will not field candidates. We are not here to play games. "So, I am saying to this board that the will of the people must remain sacrosanct. We have sent your names to the House of Assembly. We believe you are men and women of integrity. I have met one or two of you personally. It is not about the political party but the interest of the state and I believe the state will be proud of you,” he said. Speaking on behalf of the board members shortly after the swearing-in, the chairman, Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission, Mr. Olagunju, assured the people of the state that the board will conduct a credible and transparent local government election. He called on the people to have confidence and trust in the commission, adding that they will not be biased towards any political party and that the will of the people will prevail. Olagunju said: "The essence of inaugurating the board is to organise and manage local government election; that is our mandate and we have to follow it. "We were just inaugurated today. We need to go back to the office, see what is happening before we can talk about when to hold the election. It is possible this year but everything depends on the circumstances that we find ourselves when we get to the office. "When His Excellency was inaugurating the commission, he gave us the mandate that we must ensure that the will of the people prevail and that it is sacrosanct. So, we want to assure the people of Oyo State that we will conduct a transparent, credible and acceptable election. "I can also assure that people will have confidence and trust in the commission. It will be our joy that all political parties will participate in the election process. The governor has also said that we should not favour any party, because he is not in support of impartiality." The Board members include: Comrade Adeniji Babatunde, Alhaja Ganiyat Saka, Mr. Emmanuel Olanrewaju, Chief Kunmi Agboola, Mr. Aderemi Ayoade, Mr. Sunday Falana and Mr. Adeojo Elias. The swearing-in was attended by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan; Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun; Chief of Staff, Chief Bisi Ilaka; Head of Service, Mrs. Ololade Agboola and other cabinet members, as well as chieftains of the PDP in the state, led by the chairman, Alhaji Kunmi Mustapha. Signed: Taiwo Adisa Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde September 3, 2020.

Describing Governor Emmanuel’s action as ‘hypothetical’, especially for claiming to attract foreign direct investment without providing an enabling environment for small scale businesses, Aniekan Johnson who warned the chairmen against submitting to the governor at the expense of the people, advised them to promote transparency and accountability in line with the new guidelines.

“I am very sure that with time, no council chairman would be able to hide their financial records from the public. A chairman who knows the meaning of leadership must forget the idea of godfatherism and aim at satisfying the desires of the people.

“Only a government that is transparent and accountable will publish their financial expenditure like that done in Kaduna State. I know this can happen in Akwa Ibom State. But when that would be possible in a state that is named after God remains very uncertain.

“I advise LG chairmen to go to court and challenge governor Udom Emmanuel’s interference on LG autonomy. You cannot claim to bring foreign direct investment when you willingly refuse to provide the enabling environment for SMEs and growth of the local economy”, he concluded.

Source: REAL NEWS

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LG Autonomy: Analyst lambasts A’Ibom Govt as corrupt, unyielding

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