Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State, has expressed his disgust after reading a “disturbing report” which says, the government of Adamawa State sponsored the wives of twenty-one (21) Local Government Chairmen with public funds to Turkey “under the guise of leadership training”.
It cost the Northeastern State an “estimated ₦600 million in public funds.”
Obi said, the money, if channelled to women micro-credit with each beneficiary receiving “₦100,000” will help elevate “6,000” women, which would positively impact the LGAs.
In his reaction on X, Obi said: “Local Governments Must Not Become a License for Waste
“I have just read the disturbing report that the wives of 21 local government chairmen in Adamawa State were sponsored with public funds to travel to Turkey under the guise of leadership training.
“Today, while our children at the basic education level, whose education is the responsibility of local governments, are out of school, and those in school lack classrooms and teachers, while LGA pensioners are likely being owed, and teachers continue to struggle under economic hardship,
“it is disheartening that scarce resources are channeled into frivolities such as foreign trips for the wives of local government chairmen who have no public office, at an estimated cost of about ₦600 million in public funds.
“While I sincerely commend Governor Fintiri and his team for their efforts, especially in the area of infrastructure in Yola, Adamawa still remains one of the states in urgent need of investment in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.
“Such money, if directed at women micro-credit at an average of ₦100,000 each for women-led micro businesses, will uplift 6,000 women, which would be more impactful to the various LGAs, with about 300 women in each LGA being empowered, than this wasteful spending.
“Basic education in particular cannot afford to lose such a huge amount, as the over half a billion naira in question could have funded about 30 blocks of six classrooms at an average cost of ₦20 million each, directly impacting the lives of countless children and communities.
“We must return to prudent, people-oriented governance. Local government funds belong to the people, to the market woman, the farmer, the teacher, the pensioner, and every ordinary Nigerian who depends on government for basic amenities. Anything short of that is an abuse of office and should not be condoned. This is not only a glaring case of waste but a mockery of the very essence of governance.
“A New Nigeria is POssible.”
