The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has strongly advocated for the separation of the offices of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Accountant-General of the Federal Government. According to the governors, this separation is crucial to ensuring accountability in the management of the nation’s finances.
During their monthly meeting held in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State, the forum emphasized the need for the federal government to enhance transparency in the allocation of revenue among the federal, state, and local governments. The governors expressed concern over what they perceive as a lack of distinction between federal revenue and the revenue belonging to the federation as a whole.
Bala Mohammed, the chairman of the forum and governor of Bauchi State, delivered the communique. He stressed that the federal government’s current approach to managing revenues blurs the lines between what belongs to the federation and what is strictly federal government revenue. This ambiguity, they argue, undermines the principles of revenue sharing as outlined in Section 162 of the Nigerian Constitution.
The governors criticized the Accountant-General of the Federation for appearing biased towards the federal government. They called on the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Accountant-General to adhere strictly to constitutional provisions, particularly regarding revenue allocation.
By advocating for the separation of the two offices, the forum aims to ensure that the federation’s revenue is managed independently and in accordance with the law. The governors believe this change would promote greater accountability and prevent the misuse or misallocation of funds.
In summary, the PDP Governors’ Forum is pushing for a clearer and more distinct management of the nation’s finances, with a strong emphasis on constitutional adherence and transparency in revenue allocation.
