Governors To Buhari: It’s Wrong To Suggest We Tamper With LGs Funds

A few months ago, the state government indeed had to bail out the local governments with a little above N110m to pay 100% salary when the federal allocation hit a new low. “So, this administration in Kwara State does not fall in the category of what Mr. President was describing in his interview. “And, in fairness to Mr. President,

 He made a qualified statement, which should not be misconstrued to be a blanket accusation against all the state governments or governors.” Also in Benue State, the government has challenged anybody to go and check the records, saying that anti- corruption agencies can go and check whether “we have tampered with funds available to the local governments.

“We do not go there; even the area where the local government and the state are supposed to be contributing money, the joint account, as enacted and signed into law by the Benue State House of Assembly, and the then governor signed, we have not operated that account since we came in. “We prefer that money goes to each of the local governments and they spend it. The records are there for anyone to come and see. “So, as far as we are concerned, we can say for ourselves that that the allegation is not true,” Governor Samuel Ortom, said. Similarly, a Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi-Kalu, when contacted to speak on the matter, said that such tampering with local governments’ allocations does not happen in Abia State. “No, it doesn’t happen in Abia State,” he insisted.