In a candid farewell speech during a reception held at the Shiroro Local Government Area (LGA) headquarters, Isyaku Akilu Kuta, the outgoing chairman of Shiroro LGA in Niger State, expressed his frustration over what he described as the “denial” of his duties and resources by Governor Umar Bago. Kuta, who served as chairman for the last few years, blamed his inability to fully execute his responsibilities on the withholding of funds and lack of autonomy granted to his office by the state government.

Allegations of Financial Mismanagement and Denial of Autonomy

Kuta stated that his ability to carry out his duties was severely compromised because the governor blocked access to resources necessary for effective governance at the local level. He accused the governor of “wickedness and cheating”, which he claimed prevented him from securing appointments for his constituents and carrying out crucial development projects.

In his own words, Kuta said:
“I couldn’t even secure a single pensionable appointment for my people… I couldn’t meet the expectations of the people because I had no autonomy.”

He added that despite his best efforts, his tenure was marked by significant underachievement due to these constraints, admitting that he only achieved a fraction of his goals during his tenure. According to Kuta, he was unable to meet even 30% of his set goals for his tenure as the chairman.

Frustrations Over Insecurity and Unemployment

Kuta spoke about the key issues he had hoped to tackle during his time in office, including insecurity and unemployment. He lamented that despite the challenges, he was unable to make progress on these fronts due to a lack of resources and support from the state government. He emphasized that insecurity was a matter beyond his control, but that he was particularly passionate about creating jobs to reduce hunger and improve the livelihoods of his people.

Kuta also highlighted the alarming rise in unemployment within the local government area, citing that over 3,000 graduates had emerged from Shiroro in the last three years, yet there were no jobs for them. Moreover, over 600 civil servants retire annually, further contributing to the employment crisis.

Concerns Over Funding and Autonomy

Kuta’s accusations also pointed to the financial constraints faced by local governments in Niger. According to sources, the state government allocated only N10 million monthly to each local government, along with an additional N5 million for security votes. Furthermore, the state government took over the responsibility of paying the salaries of council civil servants, further reducing the financial autonomy of local governments.

These financial constraints have had a significant impact on day-to-day operations at the local government level, including payments for casual staff, security operations, and basic overhead costs.

Legal Ruling on Local Government Autonomy

Kuta’s remarks come in the wake of a landmark Supreme Court ruling in July 2024, which ordered that local governments in Nigeria must have full financial and administrative autonomy. The ruling specified that state governments could no longer withhold or control federal allocations intended for local governments, and that councils should have direct access to these funds.

However, despite this ruling, local governments in Niger have continued to operate under severely limited budgets, with many council chairmen reporting that they are unable to fulfill their responsibilities due to these financial and administrative constraints.

Kuta’s Final Thoughts and Criticism of Governor Bago

As he reflected on his tenure, Kuta expressed deep disappointment with the governor’s actions, noting that he was unable to carry out even the most basic responsibilities of his office. He accused Governor Umar Bago of undermining his role as chairman and frustrating the people by denying them essential services and opportunities.

Kuta also issued a scathing remark, stating:
“God punished whoever said I should forgive. You cheated the insiders (council chairmen) and you as well cheated the outsiders too.”

Upcoming Swearing-In of New Local Government Chairmen

Despite these allegations and frustrations, the swearing-in of new local government chairmen is set to take place on December 12, 2025, following the November 1, 2025, local government elections. The elections saw the All Progressives Congress (APC) win all 25 council positions in Niger State.

The challenges faced by Kuta are reflective of broader issues of local government autonomy, financial mismanagement, and a lack of accountability at the state level. The upcoming local government leadership will likely face similar constraints as they take office, unless substantial reforms are made to ensure true autonomy for local governments in Niger State.

Conclusion

Kuta’s farewell remarks shed light on the struggles of local government officials in Niger State, particularly in terms of financial autonomy and the ability to meet the needs of their constituents. His tenure, marked by frustration and disappointment, underscores the ongoing challenges of governance in Nigeria’s local government system. For these challenges to be addressed, there needs to be more commitment to local government autonomy and greater accountability from state governments like that of Niger, ensuring that local officials have the resources and authority they need to serve their communities effectively.