A member of the Governing Board of North East Development Commission (NEDC), Rep. Sir. Sam Onuigbo, has praised the Borno State governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum for his recent directive that Local Government funds from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) should be sent directly to the councils.
He stated that what the Borno State chief executive did was not only commendable, but also sets a sterling example for other state governors to emulate and ensure that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reform initiatives bear fruits at the grass roots.
In a letter of commendation to Governor Zulum, dated February 2, 2026, Onuigbo, who is also the Chairman of Security, Special Intervention and Climate Change Committee in the NEDC, told the Borno State Governor that posterity will remember his emblematic gesture of transparency and ethical leadership.
He informed Zulum that his declaration that Local Government Council funds should be routed directly to council treasuries rekindles hope in Nigeria, pointing out that coming from an incumbent governor, the directive vindicated his stance that democracy could not be felt at the grassroots mainly because of state governors’ control of council allocations and the LG system.
Recall that penultimate week, Governor Zulum ordered direct payment of monthly federal allocations to the 27 Local Government Areas of Borno State, noting that the move was intended to boost transparency and empower local government chairpersons for grassroots development.
Accordingly, in a letter of commendation addressed to the governor, Onuigbo, who is also a former two-term member of the House of Representatives, said he decided to commend the governor for the courage and purposeful leadership he demonstrated by siding with the Nigeria’s constitution, democratic due process and the common masses.
Part of the letter read: “My attention was drawn to a piece of joyous report regarding Your Excellency’s firm directive that the Monthly (Federal) Allocations To the 27 Local Government Councils of Borno State should be paid directly to the various councils.
“I was also elated that Your Excellency’s order was specifically to boost transparency in local government finances and empower the Local Government Council Chairpersons to actualize and speed up grassroots development.
“Your Excellency, I am highly excited that such succinct directive came from an incumbent State Chief executive. I feel vindicated, because over the years, I have been in the forefront of advocacy for the financial autonomy of Local Government Councils.
“My call on your colleague governors to take their hands-off Local Government Council funds was at great personal and political costs. As a former Commissioner in my state, as yourself, I had first-hand knowledge of how far financial constraints hampered Local Government Council bosses from optimum performance of their constitutional responsibilities.”
While praying for more wisdom from God for Governor Zulum, Onuigbo remarked that Local Government Council chairpersons in Borno State can now prove their mettle and help in fighting insecurity, unemployment and anti-social behaviours among young people.
He recalled President Tinubu’s charge on state governors to allow the large funds accruing to the states to trickle down and help assuage the economic challenges facing the masses, reiterating that democracy can only deliver much goods to a greater number if every tire of government fulfils its function.
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