Olusesan Oba
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has again come under criticism for withholding the local government funds of the state as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Wahab Shittu, insisted that he had no legal right to starve the LGAs of money belonging to them.
The Association of Local Government Areas of Nigeria in the state accused Fubara of withholding funds meant for the 23 local government areas (LGAs) in the state.
The state ALGON claimed that the governor’s actions had hindered the functions of the local government administration. The LG chairmen also added that Fubara’s actions were equivalent to proscribing local government councils in the state.
Shittu, addressing the allegation, stated that Fubara’s actions violated the country’s laws. He made these comments during an appearance on Tuesday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today.
“I can say for free that Governor Fubara of Rivers State has no constitutional powers to withhold local government funds. The local government tier of government is recognised by Section 7 of the Constitution,” he said.
He added that the constitution acknowledged the framework of democratically elected local government councils, saying that it mandates that each state must enact a corresponding law.
“The constitution recognises the system of democratically elected local government council areas and mandates that each state provides a corresponding law. In the case of Lagos State, we have the Local Government Administration Law, which regulates the establishment, structure, finances, and other related aspects.
“So, clearly, Governor Fubara has no right under the law to withhold local government funds of Ahoada Local Government or any other local government,” he concluded.
