The Igala Youth Council Worldwide, in collaboration with other Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), has called for an urgent investigation into the alleged diversion of local government funds under the current administration in Kogi State.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the President General of the Igala Youth Council (IYC), Hon. Collins Onogu, said findings from the coalition show massive discrepancies between federal allocations and actual spending in Dekina, Yagba East, and Adavi Local Government Areas.
Hon. Onogu, who spoke on behalf of the coalition, argued that the continuous mismanagement of the allocation had deprived communities of development, workers of their wages, and local governments of their constitutional autonomy.
The CSOs said, over 75% of LGA funds in 2024 and 2025 remain unaccounted for, despite constitutional provisions that guarantee full financial autonomy for local governments.
According to Onoja, “these figures show a “systematic diversion of funds” and a gross violation of the constitutional guarantee of full local government financial autonomy.
The coalition among other things, therefore demanded for an independent audit of all LGA allocations from 2024 to date, investigations by the National Assembly, EFCC, and ICPC, full access to statutory funds by local government chairmen, and public explanations for all unaccounted percentages.
The CSOs also issued a 21-day ultimatum for compliance, warning that failure by the state government would lead to peaceful protests, legal action, and sustained civic advocacy.
Onoja further affirmed the commitment of the IYC and its partners to fight corruption and protect the future of Kogi communities.
“The future of Kogi State belongs to the people, not to a few individuals who treat public office as a private enterprise. We demand justice, accountability, and dignity for our people,” he concluded.
