Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West Senatorial District, has raised questions regarding the utilization of increased monthly allocations to local government councils in Kogi State, calling for greater transparency and grassroots accountability.
Senator Karimi made the remarks during a town hall meeting in Anyigba organized by political stakeholders under the auspices of the Win With Tinubu Shettima (WWTS) project to mobilize support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Addressing questions on the impact of fuel subsidy removal, Karimi stated that while the policy brought temporary economic hardship, the resulting savings significantly boosted statutory revenue allocations to state and local governments nationwide.
He noted that an average local government council in Kogi State currently receives approximately ₦500 million monthly from the Federation Account.
“We shouldn’t be blaming everything on the Federal Government. A lot of savings have been made from fuel subsidy removal. We need to follow the utilisation of it. If those savings are transformed into better living conditions for our people, that would be okay,” Karimi said.
The senator’s comments have sparked political reactions across the state. Reports indicate that the Chairman of Yagba West Local Government Council and Kogi State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Tosin Olokun, addressed All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters in Egbe following the development to address emerging political friction.
Commenting on the debate, an APC executive member in the state, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that public officials should embrace legitimate scrutiny regarding public finance management to foster public confidence in governance.
Similarly, a local trader and resident, Mrs. Janet Igunnu, stressed that grassroots development requires strict accountability from council leadership.
“Democracy is about accountability to the people. Questions on how public funds are used are not an attack on any office, and the people of Kogi West deserve clear answers,” she said.
