FAAC: Federal Government Cheating States – Kebbi Gov

Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris has noted that the revenue-sharing formula was lopsided in favour of the federal government to the detriment of the states.

This was as the Governor called for a review of the sharing formula of federal allocations to meet the democratic needs of citizens.

He made the call on Friday in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

Idris while lamenting the lopsidedness, said the three arms of government have responsibilities to the people that elected them, adding that one arm should not therefore take a proportion that is disadvantageous to the rest.

According to him, “A situation where the federal government takes 55 percent of the total share of the revenue was, to say the least, unfair. We must look at the formula in order to meet our campaign promises to our citizens.

“When you look at it, the states and local governments are the closest to the people, and most of the challenges faced directly by citizens are handled by the states and local governments.”

He continued, “It is at the state that you find the farmers, the artisans, and the poorest of the poor, and it is our responsibility as governors to make life meaningful and worth living for them.

“So, I believe that the federal government has fewer responsibilities in terms of direct interaction with Nigerians. Governors and local government chairmen deal directly with the people, and that is a huge burden on them.

“Our revenues should be shared in such a way that state and local governments that often have direct interactions with the Nigerian people should collect higher percentage to meet their yearnings and aspirations.”