The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has made a strong recommendation for restructuring Nigeria’s financial oversight by calling for the separation of the roles of the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) from the Accountant-General of the Federal Government. The governors assert that this separation is essential to enhance accountability and transparency in managing public funds.
This call was made during the PDP Governors’ Forum’s monthly meeting, which took place in Jalingo, the capital city of Taraba State, over the recent weekend. The governors expressed their growing concerns about how revenue is currently allocated and managed, pointing out that there is a pressing need for clearer financial governance. They stressed that distinguishing between revenue intended for the federal government and revenue meant for the broader federation is crucial for fair distribution among federal, state, and local governments.
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, who leads the PDP Governors’ Forum, presented a communique outlining their concerns. The governors are particularly worried about the federal government’s failure to properly differentiate between federal revenue and revenue that should be distributed according to constitutional guidelines. They argue that this lack of clarity undermines the principles of equitable revenue sharing.
The governors have called upon the federal Ministry of Finance and the Accountant-General of the Federation to adhere more strictly to Section 162 of the Nigerian Constitution. This section provides the framework for how revenue should be shared among the various levels of government, aiming to ensure fairness and transparency in financial dealings. They believe that compliance with these constitutional principles is crucial for maintaining public trust and ensuring proper resource management.
Furthermore, the governors have criticized the current Accountant-General of the Federation for displaying bias towards the federal government. They allege that the office has not been fulfilling its constitutional duties impartially and has called for a change in how it operates. By advocating for the separation of the Accountant-General of the Federation from the Accountant-General of the Federal Government, the PDP Governors’ Forum hopes to improve financial oversight and ensure that revenue management is conducted with greater transparency and fairness.
This proposed separation is viewed by the governors as a necessary step towards ensuring that public funds are managed effectively and equitably, in line with constitutional provisions and the principles of good governance.
