The Partnership for Inclusive Local Governance and Budget (PILGOB), a coalition of civil society and community-based organisations, has called on the Jigawa State House of Assembly to investigate allegations of financial mismanagement in the state’s local government councils.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the coalition’s Secretary-General, the group said it had closely monitored reports and public discussions across social and conventional media concerning alleged misappropriation, withholding of local government funds, unlawful deductions from council allocations, and other financial irregularities affecting councils in the state.
Ilallah urged the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Haruna Dangyatin, to invoke the Assembly’s constitutional powers to ensure accountability and transparency in the administration of local government resources.
He referenced Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which empowers state legislatures to ensure the proper structure, composition, finance and functioning of democratically elected local government councils.
According to him, this provision also gives the Assembly the authority to conduct legislative oversight on the financial management and operational activities of local government administrations.
The PILGOB Secretary-General stressed that the Assembly’s oversight role is essential to promoting transparency and accountability in the management of public funds at the grassroots level.
He therefore called for a comprehensive and independent investigation into the financial activities of all 27 local government councils in Jigawa State to ensure that funds meant for grassroots development are properly managed and utilised.
The coalition added that a swift and transparent response by the Assembly would help strengthen public confidence in the legislature and reinforce trust in the administration of Governor Malam Umar Namadi, while assuring citizens of the government’s commitment to transparency and good governance.
