Katsina gov defends Tinubu’s direct allocation of funds to LGs

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda. Photo credit: Esha Aliku

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s direct allocation of statutory funds to local governments, saying the policy has strengthened grassroots governance and improved the financial capacity of councils to execute development projects.

Radda said local government councils now had greater control over their finances, enabling them to pay workers’ salaries, execute projects and address the needs of their communities without deductions by the state government.

The governor stated this on Saturday during the Tinubu-Dikko 2027 campaign rally in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, where he urged residents to support Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 to sustain the policy.

“By allowing local governments to access their allocations directly, President Tinubu has strengthened grassroots administration and empowered elected leaders to deliver development to their people. This is a policy that deserves continuity,” according to him.

The governor’s remarks come amid continuing debates over local government financial autonomy and the capacity of elected council administrations to translate increased financial resources into tangible development at the grassroots.

He argued that direct access to statutory allocations had given council chairmen greater financial capacity to implement projects and respond to the needs of residents.

Radda also commended the Matazu Local Government Chairman, Shamsuddeen Muhammad Sayaya, for executing more than 200 development projects across the area.

He noted that, “this administration had also implemented interventions in water supply, road construction, agriculture, education, youth development and women’s empowerment within the last three to four years”.

The governor further praised Tinubu for federal interventions, including palliatives, financial assistance, fertiliser distribution and increased security support, which he said were helping to cushion economic challenges and improve residents’ welfare.

On constituency interventions, Radda commended the member representing Musawa/Matazu Federal Constituency, Abdullahi Aliyu Ahmed, popularly known as Dujiman Katsina, for providing N50,000 each to 500 vulnerable women and distributing motorcycles to constituents.

He also disclosed that Senator Muntari Dandutse planned to extend assistance to about 30,000 beneficiaries across the 11 local government areas of Funtua Senatorial District, beginning November 27.

Radda urged residents to maintain their support for the All Progressives Congress, saying continuity in government would consolidate the development initiatives of the party.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Tinubu-Dikko 2027 Campaign Council, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, described the turnout at the rally as evidence of the party’s strength and public confidence in its leadership.

“The massive turnout demonstrates the strength of our party and the confidence of the people in its leadership. I urge you to remain united and committed to our collective political objectives,” Dangiwa said.

He called on eligible voters to participate in the electoral process and support Tinubu, Radda and other APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.