Local Gov’t Is Fertile Ground For Corruption – ICPC Chairman

Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu has described the local government as a fertile ground for corruption.

The ICPC chairman, who decried the massive corruption at the local government level, described it as one of the most dangerous threats to grassroots development and national progress.

Adamu stated this during an engagement with the National Anti-Corruption Coalition (NACC) at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said the engagement was aimed at addressing the theme: “Accountability and Corruption Prevention in Local Government Administration.”

According to him, “Local government administration is the closest tier of government to the people and undeniably the bedrock of democratic governance. It is at this level that the daily realities of citizens are shaped, essential services are meant to be delivered, and where development initiatives should directly impact lives.

“The diversion of funds meant for local projects, ghost worker syndicates, inflated contracts, and the misappropriation of internally generated revenues are but a few examples of the corrupt practices that undermine the very essence of local governance.

“When corruption thrives at the local level, it directly impedes development, erodes public trust, and ultimately stunts the progress of our nation. It is a betrayal of the trust reposed in public officials by the very people they are meant to serve.”

He further reiterated the Commission’s broader approach to fighting corruption beyond prosecutions. “Our mandate, as enshrined in the ICPC Act, extends beyond the prosecution of corruption offenders. It encompasses a proactive approach to corruption prevention, public education, and fostering a culture of integrity across all tiers of government and segments of society.”

Adamu, while describing the session with NACC as a strategic initiative, noted that, “This engagement is a convergence of minds dedicated to forging practical solutions to a persistent challenge.”

He urged members of the Coalition to take on a more active role in curbing corruption at the grassroots.

“We must explore innovative ways to empower citizens to demand accountability from their local government officials,” he said.

“Citizen participation in budget monitoring, project oversight, and reporting of corrupt practices is paramount. We need to sensitise our communities on their rights and responsibilities, fostering a culture where corruption is not tolerated but actively resisted.”

Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CEFTPI), Dr. Umar Yakubu, in his presentation on the Local Government Accountability Initiative, emphasised the need for proactive transparency as a long-term solution to entrenched corruption in Nigeria’s local government administration.

Yakubu stated that local governments in Nigeria have been effectively captured by state governors, creating an environment where corruption thrives and public funds routinely misappropriated.