Groups Allege Diversion Of Kogi Council Funds

The Igala Youth Council, in partnership with several civil society organisations, on Wednesday demanded an urgent probe into what they described as the persistent diversion of local government funds in Kogi State.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, the president and convener of the council, Hon. Engr. Onogu Collins, said an independent audit of all allocations from 2024 to date had become necessary, accusing the state government of blocking chairmen from accessing statutory funds.

He listed Adavi, Bassa, Dekina, Idah and Yagba East as the councils whose 2024 and 2025 financial records were allegedly riddled with huge discrepancies.

Collins said the National Assembly, EFCC, ICPC and other federal oversight bodies must immediately investigate the matter, insisting that local government autonomy was a constitutional right, not “a privilege subject to the whims of politicians.”

According to him, the case study conducted by the groups revealed disturbing patterns of unaccounted funds across several councils.

He said Dekina LGA received over N5.3bn in 2024, but only 21.48% was used for salaries, leaving 78.52% unaccounted for. In 2025, from January to August, only 15.75% of its N4.8bn allocation went to salaries.

Yagba East and Adavi LGAs, he added, showed similar discrepancies, with between 76% and 84% of funds allegedly unaccounted for in both years reviewed.

The groups accused the state government of illegally withholding local government allocations, leading to staggered salary payments, stalled rural projects, worsening poverty and weakened democratic structures.

They issued a 21-day ultimatum to the state government to comply with constitutional provisions on financial autonomy or face statewide civil actions, including peaceful protests and legal intervention.

“The future of Kogi State belongs to the people, not to a few individuals who see public office as a private enterprise,” Collins stated.

He urged traditional rulers, labour unions, youth groups and the media to “speak up and defend democracy at the grassroots,” insisting that the people would no longer be silent in the face of alleged financial mismanagement.