Trillions Diverted From Local Governments Will Be Recovered – Senator Karimi

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Services and Senator representing Kogi West, Sunday Steve Karimi, says the National Assembly will fully support President Bola Tinubu in enforcing financial autonomy for local governments and recovering trillions of naira allegedly diverted by state governments over the years.

Karimi stated that lawmakers are prepared to introduce strong legislation to ensure full compliance with the Supreme Court judgment of July 25, 2024, which ordered the direct allocation of federal funds to Nigeria’s 774 local government councils. He described the ruling as a landmark achievement for grassroots governance.

Speaking while hosting his constituents during the yuletide break, the senator recalled that the Supreme Court declared state control of local government finances unconstitutional and banned the use of caretaker committees. He stressed that only democratically elected officials are constitutionally empowered to manage council resources.

Karimi noted that the ruling was meant to strengthen grassroots democracy, promote accountability, and improve service delivery. However, he lamented that several states have continued to ignore the judgment. He added that President Tinubu had recently warned that he may issue an Executive Order to compel compliance.

According to him, the President has shown patience despite having constitutional authority to enforce the ruling. Karimi warned that the National Assembly would not watch while a valid Supreme Court judgment is disobeyed.

“We will prioritise this matter and back the President with strong legislation, including retroactive measures where necessary, to trace stolen local government funds, recover them, and ensure accountability,” he said.

The senator alleged that trillions of naira meant for grassroots development have been diverted by some governors, political godfathers, and their allies, despite the unprecedented financial allocations given to states and councils under the Tinubu administration. He said this explains why many Nigerians have not seen improvements in local services.

Karimi linked the collapse of effective local government administration to worsening insecurity across the country, citing warnings from the Chief of Defence Staff that failure to empower local governments has created ungoverned spaces exploited by criminals.

He further alleged that in some states, the diversion of funds has become organised fraud, involving voucher racketeering and approval of fake projects. He claimed many council officials are forced to sign fraudulent documents or face intimidation.

“No projects are executed, yet funds are withdrawn regularly. This institutionalised theft has denied millions of Nigerians development at the grassroots,” he said.

Karimi warned that governors and their collaborators who continue to undermine local government autonomy will face justice once the National Assembly completes the necessary legal framework.

He insisted that restoring full financial autonomy to local governments is essential for national development, security, and democratic stability.