The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has issued a stern warning to local government chairmen across Nigeria against diverting funds to governors for personal gain. The group emphasized its commitment to integrity, accountability, and the rule of law within local governance.
In a statement released on Wednesday by Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the factional Deputy President-General of Ohanaeze, the group specifically addressed the 774 local government chairmen nationwide, with a particular focus on the 95 councils in the Southeast region.
The warning follows the Federal Government’s directive requiring all local government areas (LGAs) to open accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to receive direct allocations from the Federation Account. Ohanaeze hailed the policy as a transformative step toward transparency and financial accountability, aligning with a Supreme Court ruling advocating for direct disbursement of funds to local councils.
The statement read:
“This policy is a critical mechanism to combat the financial mismanagement that has plagued local governance. Ohanaeze Ndigbo views it as a major step forward in promoting transparency and responsible governance at the grassroots level.”
Ohanaeze reminded the 95 LGA chairmen in the Southeast that compliance with the guidelines set by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) is mandatory. The NFIU has been tasked with monitoring the utilization of funds to ensure adherence to principles of transparency, accountability, and good governance. The group warned that violations of these standards would result in severe legal consequences.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo is committed to upholding the integrity of our communities. We will collaborate with anti-corruption agencies such as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to scrutinize any attempts by Southeast LGA officials to facilitate the diversion of funds by governors for personal use,” the statement added.
The group made it clear that any local government official engaging in such illegal activities risks prosecution and imprisonment. Ohanaeze also warned against reckless spending, failure to meet obligations to workers’ unions, and collaboration with governors to misappropriate LGA funds.
“No assurances or promises from governors can shield LGA chairmen from accountability. Anyone found guilty of diverting funds or engaging in financial misconduct will face the full weight of the law,” the group emphasized.
Ohanaeze also revealed the formation of an auditing committee to monitor the flow and utilization of funds in Southeast LGAs, aiming to dismantle the culture of corruption in the region.
The statement concluded by warning Southeast LGA chairmen to resist any legislative moves by governors or state assemblies to enact laws enabling unrestricted access to local government funds. Ohanaeze vowed to mount strong legal challenges against such attempts.
