Its shocking and laughable that ruling parties, which barely secured victories in gubernatorial elections, are now winning local government council elections by landslides.

In some states, even parties that had never won elections are sweeping council seats, often at the behest of influential governors seeking to undermine their political rivals. For instance,Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State exemplifies how to win elections despite lacking support from traditional power brokers.

The abuse of local government councils by state governors in Nigeria is a pressing concern that threatens the very foundation of our democratic structure. While the Federal Government ensures timely disbursement of funds to all tiers of government through the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), the reality is that many governors exert undue control over local government resources. This is particularly evident in the misuse of the State Local Government Joint Accounts (SLGJA), which, though intended to streamline funding, often become instruments of financial manipulation at the state level.

Recognising that the Federal Government guarantees each tier of government its statutory allocations, state governors have no legitimate reason to deny local councils their rightful share. This was underscored by the landmark Supreme Court ruling on July 11, 2024, which mandated direct federal allocation for elected councils to curb gubernatorial interference in local government finances.

However, with limited access to local government revenue after the ruling, many governors swiftly orchestrated elections to consolidate control over council positions and finances. The predictable results have seen ruling parties dominate the polls in nearly every state. These so-called victories do little to inspire confidence, as the elected officials often act as mere extensions of gubernatorial power.

The lack of genuine competition is hardly surprising, given that the governor’s appointees manage each State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC). The recent wave of local elections follows a clear pattern: handpicked candidates of the preferred parties consistently win and easily claim the titles of LG chairpersons and councillors through questionable processes, often coordinated behind the scenes by the governors.

While one might expect an outcry over the shambolic LG elections, only a few voices have raised concerns. The election observation group Yiaga Africa recently highlighted the troubling development and recommended civic education, genuine competition and a transparent electoral process. Unfortunately, the entrenched realities make these ideals’ recommendations almost unattainable.

These actions of some of the governors threaten to undermine the legitimacy of future elections, including gubernatorial and presidential contests. It would not be surprising if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu faced pressure to replicate this manipulative election strategy of governors in the 2027 general elections. The logic is simple: if governors can manipulate elections to their advantage with relative ease, why shouldnt the president do the same at the national level?

Sadly, disobedience to court orders and manipulation of local judges are similarly rampant at the state level, rendering adjudications predictable. For instance, some state-controlled courts of justice, which handle local mattersincluding traditional issues and chieftaincy titlesfunction as extensions of their governors, lacking genuine impartiality and integrity.

The stronghold of governors on local governance is unmistakable, surpassing the President’s influence over state administrations as they wield significant control despite judicial efforts to safeguard local autonomy.”

Meanwhile, under Tinubus federal administration, the Supreme Court has acted as an independent arbiter, often favouring opposition parties. For instance, following the last general elections and rulings of tribunals, the apex court upheld the victories of opposition candidates, including Governor Abba Yusuf of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau, and Governor Alex Otti of the Labour Party (LP) in Abia among others.

While the Supreme Court’s mandate for direct funding is a positive step, governors’ continued dominance over local governments is still apparent. Yet, the Federal Government continues the transparent disbursements of statutory allocations to states without interference. Why can’t state governments reciprocate such by ensuring local governments receive their fair share of internally generated revenue (IGR) without also encroaching on their legitimate federal allocations?

The conduct of governors may have set a worrying precedent and questioned their commitment to fiscal federalism and the principles of local governance.

I strongly urge the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, and the Finance Minister, Mr. Wale Edun, to take decisive action to protect local governments’ administrative and financial rights. They must implement mechanisms to ensure local councils have political autonomy and receive their financial entitlements without the risk of misappropriation by state authorities.

Local governments must be granted full political and economic autonomy to function effectively as the grassroots arm of governance. The future of our democratic governance hinges on the equitable treatment of all tiers of government, ensuring that local councils can genuinely serve their communities with the resources they rightfully deserve.

For Nigerias democracy to thrive, we must hold local elections to a higher standard. Despite its flaws, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) still performs better than SIECs, whose inefficiency and bias are becoming more apparent.

The debate over federalism versus centralisation will undoubtedly arise. However, a balance between federal and state powers is essential. If reforming SIECs proves unfeasible, INEC oversight may be necessary to safeguard democratic governance at the local level.

If citizens remain silent on recent flawed local elections conducted by some state governments, they should equally accept potentially compromised gubernatorial and presidential elections that the federal government could conduct in the future, possibly in 2027. After all, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

Yushau A. Shuaib, publisher of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential
yashuaib@yashuaib.com

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Muhammad Tahir Zakari

By Yushau A. Shuaib
In a country where everybody is perceived as corrupt, especially in the public service, Mr. Muhammad Tahir Zakari has distinguished himself as an incorruptible civil servant. He was among the 148 individuals who were conferred with Nigeria’s National Honours Awards by President Goodluck Jonathan on September 17, 2012.

Recently the online economic journal, the Economic Confidential in an investigation reveals that of those that got the National Honours Awards for 2012, he was the only person who was nominated on the basis of honesty by returning N6.2 million, which was overpaid into his salary account back into treasury.

The report also indicates that about 75 percent of the 148 recipients actually occupy public offices either as appointed or elected figures in the executive, judiciary and legislative arms of government. Some categories of the awards seemed to be reserved for particular groups of officers. For instance Supreme Court Judges are beneficiaries of CFR; CON are conferred on Governors, Ministers and Senators; OFR are bestowed on Members of House of Representatives, Deputy Governors, Diplomats and Legal Practitioners; OON are given to top management staffs in the public and the private sectors; while MFR is meant for security personnel, civil servants, local traditional rulers, community and religious leaders. Most of the nomination or final recommendations are done by the power-that-be. In fact one of the listed beneficiaries, a deputy governor was removed from the list by the order of the boss. In the face of all these, there are also allegations that in Nigeria some individuals and groups could pay anything to get any kind of awards even for doing nothing.

Muhammad Zakari, who is recognized for his incorruptibility, got decoration in one of the least categories as Member of the Federal Republic (MFR). He is a Grade Level 10 officer with the Federal Ministry of Information, on secondment to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.

The story of Zakari’s emergence as most deserving of the national award started in November 2011, when he received a credit alert on his mobile phone of the sum of N6,241,469 instead of his usual monthly pay of N62,000. He thought he was having a sweet dream not nightmare. At the time he got the alert he actually had N400 as his credit balance.

A dazed Tahir immediately rushed to the bank where it was indeed confirmed that he had the millions deposited in his account. Back home, he then narrated his discovery to both his mother and his wife about what could be considered as “Manna from Heaven.” A deeply religious family, the two women in his life all encouraged him to report and return the millions and not spend what did not belong to him.

He admitted that as a human being, something was telling him that “God has many ways of blessing and enriching individuals. I initially thought probably that was the way God wanted to intervene in my life by mysteriously depositing money in my bank account. But long years of religious and moral education reinforced by admonishment from the females in my life prompted me to immediately report and return the money which was N6.5 million.”

When friends learnt about the refund of the whopping amount of money, some withdrew their friendship while others taunted him as “a typical of the remaining few Nigerian Mumus (fool) that could get free money and return it when he earns a meagre salary.”

“I could feel others jeering at my resolve. As a human being, the temptation was high, considering the kind of environment we live in. But sometimes you just need to take a most dignifying action and take joy in that which I did sincerely.”

Blessed with eight children comprising of seven boys and a girl, Tahir further admitted: “I was also afraid to tarnish my family name if I spent the money and the error was later discovered by the authority. That could be very shameful too!”

His action was reported to the Independent Corrupt Practice Commission (ICPC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Head of Service and the Office of the Secretary General of the Federation.
Subsequently he received a letter from Office of the Accountant General of the Federation commending him for his “show of honesty by returning an error payment to the tune of N6.2 million.” It was on August 27, 2012 that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim sent him a letter to inform him that the Federal Government had approved the conferment of the National Honours in the rank of MFR on him. In honouring him, President Goodluck Jonathan said the award was in recognition of Zakari’s outstanding virtues and in appreciation of his service to the country, Nigeria, without adding “where many are presumed to be corrupt.”

A graduate of Mass Communication from the reputable Bayero University Kano, Zakari was born on March 20, 1971 in Garun-Mallam, Kano State. He did his National Youth Service in Enugu before he was offered appointment into Federal Civil Service as Information Officer. He was then seconded variously to the National Films and Video Censors Board, Ministry of Water Resources and now in Ministry of Agriculture, Abuja.

While we celebrate a young civil servant as incorruptible, we only hope some of our leaders who are mostly disdained for their excessive wealth from sophisticated corruption would not be laughing at poor Zakari, who believes an honour in the face of his unrealistic wages is adequate compensations for incorruptibility.

As we are encouraged by the exemplary conduct of Zakari, which should be emulated, it is doubtful if many poor Nigerians would accept the typical Nigeria’s National Honours if they have the option of a million Naira gift. I believe there are many Nigerians out there setting records and good examples but would never ever make it to the seeming National Honours for top public figures and title holders.

This article by Yushau A. Shuaib has been published in the print edition of the the Economic Confidentia October 2012, National Mirror October 8, New Nigerian October 8, People Daily October 9, Leadership October 9, 2012, The Guardian October 16, and Daily Sun October 24, 2012

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