About two weeks ago, President Olusegun Obasanjo by a directive issued to the Federation Account Allocation Committee, stopped the monthly statutory allocation to local councils in the five States that created new local government councils.  That is Lagos, Ebonyi, Katsina, Niger and Nasarawa States.

The news of the stoppage of allocation to these States has been widely condemned by different segments of the society; civil servants, civil society groups, political office holders in Lagos State, etc.  This presidential directive is indeed an affront to the practice of democracy and constitutional governance in Nigeria.  It is clear usurpation of judicial powers by the Presidency especially when viewed against the reasons adduced for the seizure of funds meant for development at the local level — that is ‘violation’ of constitutional requirements for creation of new councils, amongst other reasons.

CRP views this unpopular policy action as a flagrant demonstration of despotism and insensitivity to the plight of the people who will be most agonized by the policy.  No doubt, primary school teachers and other local council employees as well as pensioners whose salaries and remuneration are charged upon such allocations/funds accruing to the local councils, in the affected states, will be made to suffer untold hardships arising from non-payment of their salaries and allowances.

The economic implication of this development is indeed grievous as the policy will further traumatize our society and a consequential increase in the rate of social vices cannot be completely ruled out.

No doubt, the seizure of funds meant for the growth and development of communities at the local level via  an ‘executive fiat’ is far from finding a lasting solution to the controversy surrounding the creation of new local councils by the said five States.  It depicts the federal executive’s level of regard for the rule of law and constitutionalism.  It is against this backdrop that CRP commends the step taken by the Lagos State Government when it instituted a suit to seek a judicial pronouncement on the constitutionality of the issue(s).

We need not remind President Obasanjo that the constitutional provisions on local government is sacrosanct, and not subject to the whims and caprices of the federal executive.  Again, it is important to note that it is the judiciary that is vested with the power of interpretation of the Constitution.

CRP therefore calls on President Obasanjo to withdraw his directive and remove every hurdle to the immediate release of statutory allocations due to local councils in the affected States.  The continued impoundment of the councils’ funds will in no way augur well for the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria.