By Fatima Saka
Abuja — A youth group in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has called on Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene in the mounting financial crisis facing the six Area Councils, warning that the demand to settle ₦59 billion in teachers’ arrears could cripple grassroots governance.
The appeal was made during a joint press conference held in Abuja by the FCT Gbagyi Youth Forum and stakeholders from the six Area Councils—Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali.
The briefing, themed “Preventing the Systemic Collapse of Grassroots Governance in the Federal Capital Territory,” highlighted the growing fiscal strain on local administrations.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Chairman of the FCT Gbagyi Youth Forum, Hon. Musa Jezhi Nyanya, described the ₦59 billion teachers’ arrears—dating back to 2011—as a “historical burden” that current administrations cannot shoulder without dire consequences.
He warned against what he termed a “Robin Hood scenario,” where funds meant for critical infrastructure such as roads, water, and healthcare services are diverted to settle longstanding debts. While reaffirming support for teachers’ welfare, the group insisted that paying arrears should not come at the expense of ongoing development projects.
The stakeholders further decried the alleged withholding and delays in the release of the statutory 10 per cent Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) allocated to Area Councils, describing it as a breach of trust that has stifled development at the grassroots.
According to the group, failure by the Presidency to act swiftly could trigger widespread consequences, including infrastructure decay, rising unemployment, increased insecurity, and deterioration in education and healthcare services. They warned that local contractors risk bankruptcy, which could fuel youth restiveness and social instability across the territory.
The forum also raised concerns over the inability of financially constrained councils to support community policing, noting that such gaps could be exploited by criminal elements. It added that primary healthcare centres may face severe shortages of essential drugs, while schools could deteriorate further due to lack of maintenance and learning materials.
To avert the looming crisis, the group called for a Presidential bailout to settle the ₦59 billion arrears, insisting that the debt should be treated as a legacy issue rather than funded from current budgets. They also demanded the immediate and transparent release of the 10 per cent IGR allocations to the councils.
Additionally, the stakeholders urged the issuance of an executive order to protect local government funds from being diverted to settle past liabilities, alongside the convening of a financial summit involving the Presidency, FCT authorities, and Area Council representatives.
READ ALSO: Expert Warns: Xenophobic Attacks Undermine South Africa’s Regional Influence
Gas Truck Overturns on Eko Bridge, Lagos Activates Emergency Response to Avert Explosion
The group warned that continued neglect could erode public confidence in governance and lead to civil unrest, stressing that “democracy without development is a hollow shell.”
They expressed hope that the President would act decisively to prevent what they described as the imminent collapse of grassroots governance in the FCT.
About The Author
