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Autonomy Battle: LGs Demand Direct Funds As States Receive N7.43tn

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3 weeks ago

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Tinubu Chairs ECOWAS 67th Session

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria and the National Union of Local Government Employees have thrown their weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s plan to enforce direct deductions of council funds from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, even as state governments continue to retain control over allocations to local governments.

During the 15th National Executive Committee meeting of the All Progressives Congress at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, Tinubu urged state governors to comply with the Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to local governments.

The President warned that failure by governors to honour the verdict may compel him to issue an Executive Order to ensure direct allocations from the Federation Account to local councils.

Tinubu’s remarks followed the July 11, 2024, judgment by the Supreme Court, which upheld the Federal Government’s suit seeking to enforce financial independence for local governments.

In a unanimous decision, a seven-member panel of the apex court declared that it is unconstitutional for state governments to retain or manage funds meant for local councils.

The judgment held that the use of a caretaker committee amounts to the state government taking control of the local government and is in violation of the 1999 Constitution.

However, 18 months after the judgment, findings by The PUNCH show that the process remains largely unimplemented.

Local government allocations have continued to pass through state governments amid delays and disputes between the Central Bank, state governments, local government authorities, and other relevant agencies.

The PUNCH learnt that state governments received control over at least N7.43tn meant for local government councils between July 2024 and December 2025, despite the landmark Supreme Court ruling mandating direct financial autonomy for councils across the federation.

An analysis of Federation Account Allocation Committee disbursements, based on official press statements issued by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation after each FAAC meeting, shows that local governments were allocated N7.43tn over the 18-month period, even as the structure for direct access to the funds remained largely unchanged.

The amount was derived from allocations to the 774 local councils from July to December 2024 and the full 12 months of 2025.

In the second half of 2024 alone, councils received N2.08tn, rising sharply to N5.35tn in 2025.

FAAC data show that in July 2024, local governments received N337.02bn as revenue earned in June.

This rose to N343.70bn in August and moderated to N306.53bn in September. Allocations rebounded in the final quarter, climbing from N329.86bn in October to N355.62bn in November, before peaking at N402.55bn in December 2024.

Despite the rising inflows, funds continued to be paid through the long-criticised State Joint Local Government Account framework, allowing governors to retain significant influence over council finances.

The trend accelerated in 2025. Local governments received N361.75bn in January, rising steadily to N434.57bn in February and N410.56bn in March.

By mid-year, monthly allocations crossed N440bn, reaching N444.85bn in July and N485.04bn in August.

The highest monthly allocation to councils during the period was recorded in October 2025, when N529.95bn was shared as revenue earned in September.

This was followed by N505.80bn in November before moderating to N445.27bn in December 2025.

In total, local governments received N5.35tn in 2025, compared with N3.77tn in 2024, representing an increase of N1.58tn or about 42 per cent year on year.

The surge mirrored broader growth in FAAC distributions. Total allocations to the three tiers of government rose from N13.91tn in 2024 to N20.28tn in 2025, while total distributable revenue, including 13 per cent derivation, climbed from N15.26tn to N21.89tn.

Federal Government allocations increased from N4.95tn in 2024 to N7.61tn in 2025, while states’ allocations rose from N5.19tn to N7.31tn over the same period.

However, the continued routing of council funds through state structures has raised concerns that the gains from higher revenues are not translating into improved grassroots governance.

ALGON, NULGE back Tinubu

In an interview with our correspondent in Abuja, the Secretary General of ALGON, Muhammed Abubakar, affirmed support for President Bola Tinubu’s move to mandate the deduction of funds meant for LGs directly from the Federation Account Allocation Committee.

Muhammed said the President had made his warning directly to the governors and anchored it on the Supreme Court judgment, which he described as the highest authority in the land.

“So basically, as you are aware, he said it in their presence, not in their absence. So, my belief is that they will actually carry that out before the president will also do the needful, like he rightly told them in the meeting,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the governors would comply with the ruling without further prompting, noting that Tinubu’s remarks were clear and left no ambiguity about the consequences of continued non-compliance.

“So I guess they will obey the Supreme Court’s order and do the needful.  But basically, if that is not carried out, I think we will all be in support of the president to go ahead with whatever threat he has made,” he added.

Also commenting, NULGE Bauchi State chapter has applauded Tinubu’s proposed executive order aimed at stopping state governments from diverting local government funds.

Speaking with The Punch correspondent on Monday, the President of NULGE in the state, Muhammad Yunusa, described the move as a welcome development that would bring relief to local government workers across the country.

Yunusa said, “If the President invokes an executive order to stop governors from diverting local government funds, it is we, the local government workers, that will be honoured.”

He noted that the issue of local government financial autonomy had lingered for years despite legal interventions, including a Supreme Court judgment delivered last year.

“This matter has been on for a long time. Even after the Supreme Court passed its judgment last year, up till today it has not seen the light of the day,” he said.

According to him, full implementation of the executive order would strengthen grassroots governance and improve the welfare of local government workers.

Yunusa further insisted that the directive would enhance accountability and ensure that funds intended for councils are used strictly for grassroots development.

Punch efforts to get the reaction of the Chairman of ALGON Bauchi State chapter, Mahmood Baba-Ma’aji, proved unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to him were not responded to as of the time of filing this report.

Also speaking, the Chairman of NULGE in Kano, Comrade Ibrahim Muhammad, has expressed cautious optimism about the state administration’s management of local government funds.

He told PUNCH that while there is currently no formal discussion with the state government regarding direct allocation of funds to local government areas, the union is satisfied with how the funds are being handled.

“The governor is not relenting in releasing funds for meaningful projects across the state,” he said. “We also commend the current NNPP-led administration for clearing billions of naira in debts owed to civil servants. That is commendable.”

Muhammad added that he is optimistic that Kano State would comply fully with the president’s directive on local government autonomy.

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[JUST IN] Wike’s Assassination Plot: Police Take Action On Top Governor Fubara’s Ally; Nigerians React

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13 hours ago

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January 12, 2026

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The Nigeria Police Force, through the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), has finally invited Tammy Wenike Danagogo, former Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), over the allegation that he was speaking in a leaked telephone conversation, discussing how to assassinate the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Danagogo is a top ally of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers. It was alleged that the governor’s ally was making the call with Tombari Joseph Gbeneol, a medical doctor and founder of Life Forte Chapel Church in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

In the leaked conversation, Danagogo and Gbeneol were said to have discussed how they could bring in an Israeli national to assassinate the minister of the FCT, and it ended with an alleged plan to urge Governor Fubara to fund the execution.

Last week, Benjamin Hundeyin, the public relations officer of the police, reportedly revealed the arrest of Gbeneol in a statement on Tuesday, January 6, where he disclosed that further information on the issue would be made available after the interrogation had been completed.

This is coming amid the heated political tension between Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Since the Christmas holiday, the two political leaders have been throwing banters at each other. The governor has been accused of ignoring the peace agreement he signed with President Bola Tinubu in 2025.

The news of the police invitation to Danagogo was shared by Lere Olayinka, a media aide to Wike. The development has started generating reactions from some Nigerians. Below are some of their reactions:

Olufemi Aluko described it as a joke:

“Once I saw Israel, I just started laughing. We’re not serious in this country. I just knew it had to be a joke.”

Seyi questioned: “Leaked conversation. Yeah. How many phone taps do the DSS actually have running?”

Dare called for a deeper investigation: “Has it got to this? This is barbaric. If found culpable, he should be made to face the law.”

Meenah condemned the development:
“Another shocking development. When close allies of a governor are linked to alleged assassination plots, it raises serious questions about leadership and accountability. Rivers State deserves leaders who unify, not ones whose associates spark fear and chaos.”

Read more reactions to the news from X here: /

 

 

 

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BREAKING: Grief, Lamentation As 3 APC Chieftains Die

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14 hours ago

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January 12, 2026

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The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has lost three of its chieftains in Kogi to the cold hand of death. The APC chieftains are Alih Atabo, Onojah James Ignatius, and Jatto Onimisi Suleiman.

Kingsley Fanwo, the state’s commissioner for information and communication, announced their deaths in a statement in Lokoja, the state capital, on Monday, January 12.

According to Fanwo, the government and people of Kogi received the death of the APC chieftains with profound sorrow, describing them as distinguished sons of the state.

The statement reads in part: From breaking news to viral moments. “Hon. Onojah James Ignatius, Special Adviser to the Governor of Kogi State and former Chairman of Igalamela Local Government Area; Hon. Jatto Onimisi Suleiman, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor; and Alhaji Alih Atabo, APC Chairman of Anyigba Ward in Dekina Local Government Area.”

The Punch reported that Fanwo maintained that the deceased served the state and the APC with uncommon loyalty, dedication and commitment.

However, the state government did not disclose the causes of their deaths but conveyed Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s condolences to the family, friends, associates and the APC family in the state.

Nigerians have therefore reacted to the news of their deaths differently:

Adeyemi condemned Nigerians mocking the dead: “It is truly heartbreaking how many Nigerians have lost their humanity. When a fellow human being passes away, the only thing some people can do is mock them over petty political differences. It’s a disgrace. Death is inevitable for us all; those who are mocking the dead today should remember that they could be the victims tomorrow.”

Chiedozie Onyeke prayed for them: “God should have allowed them to enjoy Tinubu’s reforms small. May their souls rest in peace.”

Uzochukwu Agu O.G. made an unverified claim: “They were clogs in the wheel of Yahaya Bello’s Ambition. It is what it is. The next set of chieftains to replace them will unilaterally call for Yahaya Bello to run for Senate.”

Adams Azeez prayed for the deceased: “Whatever your politics, death is a reminder that power is temporary. May their souls rest in peace, and may their families find strength.”

Ajayi Ogidiolu demanded more clarity about their death: “When did they die? Died or killed? The information is not really clear.”

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BREAKING: KWAM 1 Writes Ogun Govt, Accuses Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Plot to Exclude Him From Awujale Selection

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2 days ago

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January 11, 2026

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Popular Fuji musician and Olori Omooba of Ijebu land, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, widely known as KWAM1, has written to Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, alleging that he is being deliberately sidelined from the ongoing process to select the next Awujale of Ijebu land.

Ayinde, in a petition dated January 8, 2026, accused the Fusengbuwa ruling house next in line to produce the monarch of taking actions that allegedly violate the Chieftaincy Declaration and the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State. He claimed the moves were designed to disenfranchise him from contesting for the revered throne.

The letter, written on his behalf by his lawyer, Dr. Wahab Shittu, SAN, was addressed to Governor Abiodun and outlined what the Fuji star described as procedural irregularities in the selection process.

According to the petition, the contest for the Awujale stool has attracted over 60 aspirants, with Ayinde formally declaring his interest. However, the Fusengbuwa family has maintained that KWAM1 is not a member of the ruling house and is therefore ineligible to participate in the exercise.

Before writing to the governor, Ayinde had approached the Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu Ode, seeking an interim injunction to restrain Governor Abiodun and six others from continuing with the selection process. The court, however, dismissed the application, ruling that it lacked merit. The musician later withdrew the suit without publicly stating his reasons.

In his latest letter, Ayinde disclosed that the Ijebu Ode Local Government, via a letter dated January 6, 2026, signed by its Secretary, Oke Adebanjo, had approved the commencement of the selection process by the ruling house.

He expressed surprise that while members of the Fusengbuwa family were preparing for a general meeting, the family’s Public Relations Officer, Prince Adeleye Lateef Ademuyiwa, allegedly issued a notice directing aspirants to collect nomination forms and appear before a screening committee.

The screening committee, according to Ayinde, is chaired by Prince Alhaji Mitiu Adenuga. He further alleged that the directive fixed the nomination exercise for Monday, January 12, 2026, while also stating that the process would be conducted by delegates to be selected at a meeting scheduled for January 10, 2026.

Ayinde argued that the sequence of events was confusing, contradictory, and contrary to established laws guiding traditional chieftaincy matters in Ogun State.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Ogun State Government nor the Fusengbuwa ruling house had officially responded to the allegations.

Lagos Reporters will continue to monitor developments surrounding the Awujale succession process and provide updates as the story unfolds.

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