The outgoing chairman of Shiroro Local Government Area in Niger State, Isyaku Akilu Kuta, has accused Governor Umar Bago of denying him his core responsibilities as council chairman and said that if he curses the governor “it will catch up with him.”
Kuta made the remarks during a farewell reception held in Kuta, the headquarters of Shiroro local government, to thank residents for their support.
He said his performance as chairman was severely limited due to the lack of autonomy, which prevented him from securing appointments or executing meaningful development projects.
Explaining how this affected service delivery, he said the governor’s actions directly hindered his efforts to meet the expectations of the people.
"But because of wickedness and cheating from our leader as a council chairman of Shiroro Local Government Area for years, I couldn't even secure a single pensionable appointment for my people. And people are saying I should be patient and forgiven," Kuta said.
He said his performance as chairman was severely limited due to the lack of autonomy, which prevented him from securing appointments or executing meaningful development projects.
Explaining how this affected service delivery, he said the governor’s actions directly hindered his efforts to meet the expectations of the people.
"But because of wickedness and cheating from our leader as a council chairman of Shiroro Local Government Area for years, I couldn't even secure a single pensionable appointment for my people. And people are saying I should be patient and forgiven," Kuta said.
He noted that he had achieved more in previous political roles, recalling his track record as a ward councillor.
"I can remember when I was ward councillor I secured appointments for 37 people," he stated.
Reflecting on his tenure, Kuta acknowledged that he fell far short of his goals due to obstacles beyond his control.
"My goals as a council chairman out of 100 percent, I couldn't achieve even 30 percent," he added.
He further expressed frustration that even his personal and administrative needs could not be met under the constraints imposed on his office.
"And it is normal as a human being I should have needs I should achieve. But my needs were not actualised," Kuta said.
The outgoing chairman also criticised the governor for blocking access to resources that he said were essential for effective leadership.
"Chairmanship is a responsibility assigned to me by the people and I must be given a way to deliver my responsibilities diligently. And a leader is there in the state sitting on my responsibilities denying me resources to deliver. This is very painful," he said.
Kuta highlighted insecurity and job creation as the central priorities he had hoped to address during his tenure.
"My first goal as a chairman of Shiroro was the issue of persistent insecurity, but insecurity is a work of God. Secondly is to make sure I create a job for people not to stay hungry," he explained.
He also raised concerns over unemployment and the increasing number of retirees in the area.
"In three years, over 3,000 graduates were produced in Shiroro but no job for them and more than 600 civil servants retire every year," Kuta said.
SaharaReporters gathered that Governor Bago allocated only N10 million monthly to council chairmen, in addition to five million naira monthly as security votes.
The governor has also taken over the payment of council civil servants, with the state now paying the salaries of both state and council employees.
Meanwhile, the swearing-in of newly elected 25 council chairmen is scheduled to take place today, December 12, 2025.
The local government elections held on November 1, resulted in all 25 councils being won by candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Kuta concluded his address with a strong denunciation of the injustices he said he experienced during his tenure.
"God punished whoever said I should forgive. You cheated the insiders (council chairmen) and you as well cheated the outsiders too," he said.
Meanwhile, in July 2024, the Supreme Court of Nigeria ruled that local governments across the country must have full financial and administrative autonomy.
The court specified that state governments cannot withhold or control federal allocations meant for councils, ensuring that local governments have direct access to funds to carry out their statutory responsibilities.
Despite the ruling, Niger’s councils have continued to operate under limited budgets. Sources said the lack of funds affects day-to-day administration, including payment of casual staff, security operations, and basic overhead costs.
