By Newspot Nigeria News Desk
The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) has called for the immediate end to state governors’ control of constitutionally allocated local government funds, describing the practice as a major obstacle to grassroots development and democratic governance in Nigeria.
In a press statement issued in Abuja on February 9, 2026, the organization aligned its position with the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Nigeria’s statutory body on revenue allocation and fiscal federalism. FENRAD emphasized that Local Government Councils are constitutionally recognized as the third tier of government and must enjoy full fiscal autonomy to effectively serve their communities.
According to FENRAD, RMAFC has consistently warned that state interference in local government finances weakens service delivery, fuels corruption, and undermines accountability at the grassroots. The Commission has maintained that direct disbursement of funds from the Federation Account to Local Government Councils is critical to improving transparency, governance outcomes, poverty reduction, and the delivery of essential services such as primary healthcare, basic education, sanitation, environmental protection, and rural infrastructure.
The organization expressed concern over what it described as persistent diversion, withholding, and joint control of local government allocations by state governments, despite constitutional provisions and judicial affirmations supporting local government autonomy.
FENRAD argued that continued financial control by governors has denied communities their right to development and weakened grassroots institutions. It stressed that financial autonomy is not merely an administrative issue but a matter of public accountability and human rights.
The group called on state governors to immediately cease interference in local government funds, urged the Federal Government to enforce direct allocation in compliance with constitutional and judicial directives, and asked oversight and anti-corruption agencies to investigate alleged abuses of local government finances. It also encouraged civil society organizations, the media, and citizens to intensify advocacy for transparency and accountability in local governance.
FENRAD’s Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to promoting transparent governance, environmental justice, human rights protection, and equitable development across Nigeria.
— Newspot Nigeria
