Media Rights Activist, Jonathan Ikechukwu Emmanuel, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for calling on state governors to stop interfering with Local Government allocations, describing the move as timely and critical for grassroots development.

In a social media post titled “Help President Tinubu,” Ikechukwu applauded the President’s insistence on respecting Local Government autonomy but warned that autonomy without accountability could worsen corruption at the council level.

He stressed that Local Government Chairmen who allow governors to tamper with council funds often forget their constitutional responsibility as accounting officers, noting that they would ultimately be required to account for every kobo received.

“I commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for calling on state governors to respect Local Government autonomy and to desist from tampering with Local Government allocations. This intervention is timely and necessary,” he said.

However, Ikechukwu argued that financial independence must be matched with strict oversight.

He called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to begin a comprehensive review of funds received by Local Government Chairmen since assuming office.

“Nigerians deserve to know how these resources are being managed. Autonomy without accountability is a recipe for abuse,” he added.

Clarifying his position, Ikechukwu said he harbours no resentment toward state governors, noting that they fiercely protect their own allocations from interference.

He questioned why Local Government Chairmen fail to show the same level of responsibility and transparency in safeguarding council funds.

Mr. Ikechukwu further decried what he described as the “wicked and inhuman” conduct of some Local Government Chairmen, who squander public funds on jamborees and frivolities while rural communities lack basic amenities.

According to him, “many councils are burdened with urgent developmental challenges, yet chairmen often prioritise personal interests over public welfare”.

He criticised the practice of exaggerating minor projects through media publicity while neglecting issues that directly affect the poor.

“This unfortunate trend is evident among some Local Government Chairmen in Enugu North Senatorial District of Enugu State,” he stated.

Ikechukwu called on community elites and stakeholders to support President Tinubu’s efforts by ensuring that Local Government allocations are properly monitored and judiciously utilised.

He lamented that council budgets are often abandoned after ceremonial presentations, while funds are quietly diverted to irrelevant or self-serving projects.

While concluding that, true Local Government autonomy must be anchored on transparency, prudence, and genuine service to the people, emphasized, “Anything short of this only deepens the suffering of rural communities and betrays the very essence of grassroots governance”.