Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has made a bold plea to the House of Representatives, urging them to grant him constitutional authority to administer security votes akin to state governors, but this time for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Wike’s appeal comes in the wake of escalating incidents of high-profile kidnappings and assaults on communities within Nigeria’s capital city.
During a session with the House Committee on FCT convened on Monday to justify the N1.1 trillion budget allocated to his ministry, Wike stressed the urgent need for access to the security vote to address the prevailing insecurity plaguing the Nigerian capital.
The security vote, a contentious and often criticized provision, is frequently exploited by state governors to allocate funds arbitrarily without requisite transparency measures, leading to concerns of corruption and financial mismanagement.
Various civil society organizations have vehemently opposed the security vote, citing it as a conduit for embezzlement and illicit financial activities.
However, Wike contends otherwise, asserting the necessity of such discretionary spending powers in combating security challenges effectively.
“In my capacity as a governor, my State Security Service (SSS) director may approach me, stating, ‘We require funds urgently for a covert operation tonight, amounting to N30 million.’
In such a scenario, I should not be required to engage with the accountant; instead, I should simply authorize the release of the funds,” Wike articulated before the lawmakers.
Wike’s proposition underscores the gravity of the security crisis confronting the nation’s capital and his conviction in the expediency of granting governors such powers for swift and decisive action in safeguarding lives and property.
The House of Representatives now faces the critical task of deliberating on Wike’s appeal, weighing its potential implications against the imperative to address the pressing security challenges facing the FCT.
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