2027: CAC ​‌‌⁠⁠⁠‍‍⁠⁠‌‌⁠‍‌⁠‌⁠​‌​Ambassador launches accountability network to track state, local govts’ spending, projects

A Nigerian youth advocate and Ambassador of the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, Michael Nwabufo, has unveiled an initiative,the Nationwide Service Delivery Accountability Network, NISDAN, to demand accountable leadership on the proceeds of subsidy removal.

Mr Nwabufo, who is the National President of the Practitioners of Content Creators, Skit-Makers, and Influencers Guild of Nigeria, PCCSIGN, called for a new era of accountability in Nigeria’s public sector, in a statement in Lagos.

The civil leadership and accountability advocate made the call while speaking at a National Youth Day Conference organised by PCCSIGN and other organisations.

Mr Nwabufo also urged citizens to demand measurable results from governors and local government chairmen, stressing that public office holders were servants of the people.

He said public office holders must demonstrate what they achieved with the public funds entrusted to them.

“You are servants of the people, not gods or kings. Nigerian governors receive hundreds of billions of naira every year from FAAC. Some collect over ₦600 billion in four years.

“Yet most of them spend only a small fraction of these funds while the rest is mismanaged or diverted.

“Why do many communities still lack basic infrastructure despite the substantial allocations that go to states and local governments every year?

“States that should have good roads, functional schools, accessible healthcare, water supply, electricity and security continue to suffer.

“This is because many governors have placed personal interest above public service,” the talent and brand manager said.

Mr Nwabufo said Nigeria’s development challenges could not be resolved without addressing the gap between public funds allocated to governments and services delivered to citizens.

He particularly focused on the 774 local government areas, saying their increased access to public funds should translate into tangible development at the grassroots.

“There are 774 local government areas in Nigeria. Together they receive between ₦400 billion and ₦500 billion or more every month.

“What exactly is being done with these funds?

“Most of them do barely 10 per cent of the work and share the rest. What did the local government receive? What was budgeted?

“What was delivered? Where is the evidence?” he asked.

Speaking on  NISDAN, Nwabufo said the group remained an independent body comprising bloggers, influencers, content creators, actors, musicians, civil society actors and ordinary citizens.

He said NISDAN would monitor and document government projects across the country, including roads, schools, health centres, water schemes, electricity projects and other public infrastructure.

“We will visit states and local governments without notice. We will inspect every project.

“A road that was budgeted for but abandoned will be documented. A health centre announced as completed will be physically inspected.

“A school reported as renovated will be visited. A water project commissioned for a community will be checked to confirm whether it is actually working.

“The objective is simple: follow the money to the service,” he said.

Mr Nwabufo said NISDAN would not only expose failures but would also recognise governments and officials that performed well.

He said the network would use available platforms to inform Nigerians about government performance.

He added that NISDAN would petition relevant anti-graft agencies where evidence of diversion of public funds was established.

“If you perform well, we will gladly share the good news. If you fail and divert public funds, we will expose the facts.

“We will use social media, blogs, newspapers and television to inform Nigerians.

“We will petition the EFCC, ICPC and other relevant agencies. Accountability must not be partisan.

“A government that performs should receive recognition, while a government that fails should face legitimate public scrutiny,” he declared.

Mr Nwabufo stressed that NISDAN would not become a political platform for attacking opponents.

The advocate said its credibility would depend on evidence, documentation, transparency and consistency.

He said the initiative reflected a growing demand among young Nigerians for a different relationship with government.

According to him, citizens should remain involved beyond voting during elections.

Mr Nwabufo said voting should only be the beginning of civic participation, with citizens asking what was promised, funded, delivered and what remained outstanding.

Mr Nwabufo also noted that the current leadership of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) had recorded visible projects in NDDC states.

He said such efforts should be recognised and protected from attempts by some governors to take undue credit for them.

Mr Nwabufo said the era of collecting public funds without accountability must come to an end.

“Nigeria will be built by Nigerians,” he said.

NAN