The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has called for greater transparency and independent oversight following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for the timely release of funds to Nigeria’s Regional Development Commissions.
Tinubu had directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, to ensure that funds due to the commissions were released as and when due. The President also warned the commissions against corruption, waste, politicisation and projects that do not directly benefit the people.
Reacting to the directive, the APM National Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Abubakar, said the release of the funds should be accompanied by transparency measures, independent oversight and clearly defined deliverables.
Abubakar questioned the timing of the directive, coming months before the 2027 general elections, and alleged that the funds could be vulnerable to misuse without adequate safeguards.
He called on the Federal Government to make public the allocations to each regional commission, details of proposed projects, their locations, approved amounts, contractors handling them and evidence of due diligence before the release of funds.
The APM spokesperson also alleged that some development commissions had previously been used to channel public funds through inflated or unexecuted contracts.
He urged the management of the commissions and other government agencies to resist political pressure and report any attempt to divert public resources.
Abubakar further called on Nigerians to monitor the activities of the commissions in their respective regions and demand accountability over projects funded with public resources.
Tinubu, while issuing the funding directive, said the commissions were established to address development gaps and unlock the economic and industrial potential of their respective regions. He identified infrastructure, industrialisation, investment, human capital development, education, healthcare and security among the areas requiring attention.
The President also directed the Ministry of Regional Development to ensure that the commissions operate within the approved Regional Development Policy Document and called on the National Assembly to provide effective oversight.
Meanwhile, the APM said its presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, remained its preferred candidate for the 2027 presidential election and urged its supporters to mobilise for the party and protect their votes.
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