Abia: Local Government Funds Not Reaching Councils — Don Ubani

A former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Abia State, Don Ubani, has alleged that local governments in the state have been effectively hijacked, with statutory funds failing to reach the councils.

Ubani made the claim while speaking on The Morning Brief, a programme on Channels Television, which was monitored by punch Newspaper on Wednesday.

According to the former commissioner, the situation has severely undermined governance at the grassroots level, leaving local councils unable to perform basic functions.

“Nothing is happening in Abia State. The local governments have been hijacked, and their funds do not get to the councils,” Ubani said.

He cited the deteriorating condition of the High Court in Obingwa West Local Government Area as a stark example of the consequences of inadequate funding. Ubani disclosed that the court premises have become overgrown with weeds due to the council’s inability to finance routine maintenance.

“As we speak now, the High Court in Obingwa West LGA has been overtaken by weeds to the extent that court workers are threatening to relocate to Aba,” he added.

Ubani further criticised the state government’s approach to governance, noting that the situation persists despite constitutional provisions on administrative structures, including the political nature of certain appointments such as Permanent Secretaries.