Abuja, Feb. 4, 2026 (NAN) Rep. Sam Onuigbo, member of the Governing Board of North East Development Commission (NEDC), has commended Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno his directive that Local Government funds from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) be sent directly to the councils.
Onuigbo gave the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said that Zulum’s directive was a welcomed development which sets a sterling example for other state governors to emulate to ensure that President Bola Tinubu’s reform initiatives bear fruits at the grass roots.
“In a letter of commendation to Zulum, dated Feb. 2, Onuigbo, who is also the Chairman of Security, Special Intervention and Climate Change Committee in the NEDC, said that posterity will remember Zulum’s emblematic gesture of transparency and ethical leadership.
Onuigbo stated that Zulum’s directives 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.
He recalled that Zulum ordered direct payment of monthly federal allocations to the 27 local government areas of Borno, stating that the move was intended to boost transparency and empower local government chairpersons for grassroots development.
Onuigbo, who is also a former two-term member of the House of Representatives, commended the courage and purposeful leadership Zulum demonstrated by aligning with Nigeria’s constitution, democratic due process and the common masses.
He recalled 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 dividends to citizens if every tier of government fulfils its function. (NAN)
