Despite N133bn Commitment to Security Votes, Group Fumes as Enforcement Weak
In the same regard, the Institute appeals to state governors to ensure that the security votes allocated to them are used responsibly, transparently, and strictly for improving peace and stability within their respective states.
The World Institute for Peace (WIP), a civil society organisation based in Osogbo, Osun State, has urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to redouble its efforts in addressing the persistent security challenges threatening lives and livelihoods across the country.
In this regard, the Institute appeals to state governors to ensure that the security votes allocated to them are used responsibly, transparently, and strictly for improving peace and stability in their respective states.
In Nigeria, security votes are funds usually allocated to states to tackle insecurity. The system is opaque and has been previously reported as marred by corruption, with officials receiving the funds and allegedly diverting them for personal use. While the system remains unclear, experts still estimated a total of $670 million (N241.2 billion) shared annually as security votes.
Just in September, the Federal Government of Nigeria committed N133bn in security votes to 21 states across the country.
The states include Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Imo, Kaduna, Adamawa, Kogi, Bauchi, Borno, Benue, Nasarawa and Sokoto.
Others are Lagos, Cross River, Delta, Ondo, Taraba, Jigawa, Kwara, Abia and Bayelsa.
In order of their level of commitment, Borno voted N32.8bn; Benue, N15.6bn; Ondo, N11.5bn; Delta, N10.6bn; Adamawa, N8.2bn; Bauchi, N8bn; and Zamfara, N8bn.
This puts in question why states, especially the most terrorised ones in Nigeria, should be more secure and habitable for Nigerians.
WIP, which tried to spotlight this concern, noted that while state governments receive considerable funds under the security vote system, the impact of these allocations depends on how effectively and accountably they are managed. The Institute cautioned that funds meant to safeguard citizens should never be diverted for political or personal purposes.
According to WIP, promoting transparency and accountability in the use of security votes is essential to restoring public confidence, curbing insecurity, and building a safer and more stable nation.
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