Nigerian Opposition Raises Alarm Over Alleged Attempt to Hijack Local Government Funds

A coalition of opposition lawmakers in Nigeria has expressed concern over an alleged move by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and a group supporting the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to secure a court injunction aimed at halting the statutory monthly allocations to Local Government Areas in Rivers State. The spokesperson for the coalition, Ikenga Ugochinyere, warned that any attempt to withhold funds from the people of Rivers State could trigger a crisis that may destabilize constitutional governance.

According to Ugochinyere, credible evidence from a reliable source indicates that the group, in collaboration with anti-democratic elements, has filed a legal process at the Federal High Court, seeking an injunction to stop the monthly fund allocations to Rivers State LGAs. This move is seen as a continuation of the pro-Wike group’s attempts to undermine the democratic process in the state, following the outcome of the recently concluded Rivers State LGA elections.

The pro-Wike faction had attempted to prevent the elections from happening, intending to throw the state into chaos to serve their political interests. However, the elections were held in compliance with a Supreme Court ruling that mandated the conduct of LGA elections. Despite this, the group remains aggrieved and is now seeking to halt the constitutional allocation of revenue to the Local Government Areas.

Ugochinyere emphasized that LGA allocations are constitutionally mandated funds belonging to a sovereign arm of government and cannot be hijacked, especially given the presence of valid LGA leadership. He urged the FCT Minister’s camp to accept defeat and abandon any alleged plans to undermine the people of Rivers State.

Furthermore, Ugochinyere called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure that unscrupulous elements do not lead the nation into anarchy or tarnish democracy under his administration. “The people of Rivers State have elected their council chairman and councillors in line with the recent ruling of the Supreme Court to democratize all LGAs in Nigeria and any attempt to truncate democracy in Rivers would be resisted by the people,” he said.

The opposition coalition is closely monitoring the situation and will not hesitate to alert the Nigerian public if necessary. Ugochinyere expressed hope that the judiciary would not grant any frivolous requests from the pro-Wike group, which could undermine the image of the judiciary and the democratic process.