Alhaji Kabiru Jarimi, former Chairman of the Kaduna South Local Government and ex-Secretary of the Kaduna State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), has strongly refuted claims made by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai that his administration did not interfere with local government funds.
In a recent interview, Jarimi dismissed El-Rufai’s assertion as misleading, stating that throughout his tenure, local government allocations were frequently deducted under various pretexts. He revealed that these deductions significantly impacted the financial autonomy of councils, particularly in Southern Kaduna.
Unapproved Deductions and Financial Strain
According to Jarimi, local governments never received their full allocations during El-Rufai’s administration, as funds were systematically withdrawn without their consent. He recalled instances where these deductions left councils struggling to cover essential operational costs after salary payments.
“I was shocked by El-Rufai’s comment because local government funds were deducted without our approval. Most of the deductions targeted Southern Kaduna LGAs,” he stated.
Jarimi further revealed that he had considered resigning at some point due to the severe financial constraints imposed by these policies. He alleged that El-Rufai’s administration justified these deductions as necessary for settling workers’ salaries but often employed other means to withdraw additional funds from local governments.
Capital Territory Policies and Fund Diversions
He highlighted the creation of the Kaduna Capital Territory Authority (KCTA), Zaria Metropolitan Authority, and Kafanchan Municipal Authority as a major strategy used to siphon local government funds. Under this arrangement, salaries were split in a 60–40 ratio between these authorities and the local governments within their jurisdictions.
“In Kaduna South, deductions were made in the name of sanitation, forcing us to remit funds to the Kaduna Capital Territory Authority (KCTA) every month,” Jarimi disclosed.
Local governments outside these designated territories were not exempt from deductions either. According to the former chairman, funds were withdrawn under vague justifications such as security contributions and riot damage reparations, with no clear record of how these funds were utilized.
“We contributed to a security fund, yet no former LGA chairman can account for how it was used. The same applies to the riot damage fund; no LGA benefited from it. I challenge the former Governor to explain where the money went,” he demanded.
Commendation for Governor Uba Sani’s Reforms
Jarimi praised the current administration of Governor Uba Sani for reversing many of El-Rufai’s policies, particularly the abolition of the Capital, Metropolitan, and Municipal Authorities, as well as the discontinuation of the controversial security and riot damage funds.
He further acknowledged that under Governor Uba Sani’s leadership, the state government now allocates a percentage of its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to local governments, a policy he believes will help strengthen the financial independence of councils across the state.
