2027: Atiku pledges direct funding for LGs if elected president

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has pledged to ensure that funds meant for Nigeria’s local governments are paid directly to them immediately after he is sworn in as President.

Atiku made the pledge in a statement signed and posted via X.com by his official spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, on Tuesday.

The former Vice President said his administration would uphold the rule of law and ensure constitutional independence for all tiers of government, including local governments.

Atiku also referenced the Supreme Court judgment delivered in July 2024 on the financial autonomy of local governments, accusing the administration of President Bola Tinubu of failing to enforce the judgment.

According to him, the alleged failure was aimed at avoiding confrontation with state governors who previously controlled local government funds.

The statement partly read, “My administration will respect court judgments, protect local government autonomy, ensure that public funds reach the people for whom they are meant, and restore true federalism.

“This move will ensure that development is brought to the grassroots, reduce poverty at the level of government nearest to the people, and guarantee financial independence to the local governments which will increase their capacity to fight crimes and terrorism at that level.”

Atiku alleged that the Tinubu administration’s position was influenced by political considerations ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

He claimed that state governors were being allowed to retain control of local government funds as an incentive to support Tinubu’s re-election bid.

“This is not the Nigeria we should accept,” the former Vice President stated.

Meanwhile, human rights organisation Amnesty International has expressed concern over security agencies’ failure to hold the Borno State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba, accountable after his alleged threats to flog anyone who does not support the All Progressives Congress in the state.

The organisation said it was deeply concerning that, despite publicly available evidence, security agencies had yet to take action over the matter.

Buba, in a video now circulating on social media, said “the government is our government,” adding that whoever followed it would enjoy “the honey.”

Buba made the remarks at a campaign inauguration organised by the City Boy Movement on Saturday in Maiduguri.

Reacting to the remarks in a statement on Tuesday, Amnesty International described the commissioner as a danger to democracy who must face justice over what it described as subtle incitement.

The statement read, “It is deeply concerned that, up till now and despite publicly available evidence, security agencies have not taken any action to hold Mr Sainna Buba to account for his reckless and irresponsible remarks at a rally of the ruling APC in Maiduguri on August 29.

“Threatening those who may not vote for APC is not and cannot in any way be figurative. It is a direct threat. The commissioner is a danger to democracy and must face justice for the subtle incitement.”

The organisation insisted that the human rights of the people of Borno State must be upheld and protected.

“People must be free to vote without anything or anyone undermining their right to make political choices. In democracy, people are entitled to an open civic space, freedom and justice. People’s right to personal liberty is paramount,” it stated.

The organisation added that Amnesty International would continue to investigate, document and preserve evidence of incitement, threats and abuses before, during and after the 2027 general elections.

For a better society

Follow us across our platforms:

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/championnewsonline/
Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/championnewsonline
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/champion-newspapers-limited/
https://x.com/championnewsng/

You can also like and comment on our YouTube videos.
https://youtu.be/QIBfD1tT80w?si=R4Qf3so2LxYu3GC2