By Ebere Agozie
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mohammed Ndarani has urged state governors to strengthen grassroots development to complement the president’s efforts in extending the dividends of democracy to the people.
Ndarani made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.
He was reacting to issues surrounding the ongoing protests and the Federal Government’s Release of ₦570bn grants to state governments.
President Bola Tinubu made the revelation while addressing the country following the nationwide protests against the rising cost of living.
Tinubu noted that the ₦570bn to the 36 states was to expand livelihood support to their citizens.
The senior lawyer said that the state governments have to put local community needs first by making sure local government administrations are efficient and accountable.
“How much money have the state governors made since the fuel subsidy was removed? What have some of the governors done with the monies that the president provided to them?
“Some of the governors, not the president, are the issue because when the monies were released to them, they were unable to disperse them to the local governments.
“This has made it challenging for the chairmen of local governments to grant a contract valued at, least at a threshold of five million Naira.
“Likewise, some of the ministers are not carrying out the president’s renewed hope agenda. Only a few ministers are working’’.
The SAN, who expressed disappointment at the way state resources are deployed, said the president should set up an independent checking mechanism on his policies, to ensure compliance.
“Under the current sharing formula, the federal government gets 52.68 percent of the revenue, states 26.72 percent, and local governments 20.60 percent.
“Under the 2024 approved budget, over N5 trillion will go to the states, which is N2.24 trillion more than the N3.3 trillion disbursed in 2023.
“The president is doing his very best to enhance the revenue base of the country; therefore, some of the state governors must equally be sympathetic.
“They must urgently consider the needs of the local people,’’ he added.
He advised the citizens to demand accountability from their governors.
“Ask them how much they give to the local governments each month. Nigerians must be informed, and there should be supporting documentation.
“Since the start of this government, every governor is required to submit information on their earnings and expenses,’’ he said.
He encouraged people who wanted to go on the streets to blame their governors and not the president, for the difficulties they are facing.
He said that although peaceful protests are in line with the constitution, he, however, is calling on the protesters to dialogue with the federal government and focus more on their state governors.
“The destruction of properties sets us back as a nation and our scarce resources will be again used to restore them
“Right now, protest is not the best option. The issue is what is the best course of action? How can Nigeria be fixed? That ought to be the appropriate question.
“Honest and constructive dialogues are essential to addressing the underlying causes of unrest and finding sustainable solutions’’.
He also commended the security architecture for their display of professionalism at the protest and that Nigerian leaders must find a way to engage its citizens and address their concerns.
“My heart is shattered seeing the devastating violence and destruction; protests should be suspended to give room for dialogue with the government at all levels.
“It’s time for us to come together, engage in dialogue, and find alternative solutions to this senseless cycle of violence.
“We must prioritise protecting the lives and properties of both our government and our people, we must engage in pursuing good governance’’.
He appreciated the president for his unequivocal stance against ethnic division and threats.
“It is important to maintain peace, law, and order while upholding human rights in line with international conventions.
“I commiserate with the families and relations of those who have died in the protests, but we must stop further bloodshed, violence, and destruction.
