A local government chairman in Kaduna State has accused the administration of Governor Uba Sani of allegedly taking control of funds meant for local councils, a situation he says has severely limited development projects across the state.
The chairman, one of 23 in the state, made the allegation in an interview on condition of anonymity, claiming that local government allocations are being centrally managed by the state government and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sadiq Mamman Lagos.
According to him, the lack of financial independence has reduced many councils to what he described as “ceremonial administrators,” unable to execute meaningful projects nearly two years into their tenure.
He alleged that although each local government reportedly receives between ₦500 million and ₦600 million monthly from federation allocations, chairmen only access about ₦20 million to ₦30 million after deductions and state-level control.
The chairman further claimed that local government workers are paid directly by the state government, leaving council leadership with limited control over finances and planning.
He also argued that this situation has weakened service delivery, affecting basic infrastructure, staffing, and community development projects across many local government areas.
Another source familiar with local government operations echoed similar concerns, saying the limited funds available to chairmen make it difficult to deliver visible projects, despite rising public expectations from residents.
The allegations come amid ongoing national discussions around local government autonomy following the Supreme Court ruling in 2024, which affirmed that local governments should have full financial independence and direct access to their allocations.
Despite that ruling, the chairman claimed implementation in Kaduna State remains weak, adding that many officials feel constrained by the current structure.
So far, the state government has not publicly responded to the specific allegations raised by the anonymous chairman.