A civil society organization, YIAGA Africa, has accused States Governors in Nigeria of not using the security votes accrued to them to address fundamental issues in their States.
This was disclosed by the Executive Director of the organization, Samson Itodo during aa television programme.
Speaking at the event, Itodo lamented the non-use of security votes by the governors for the purposes they are meant for.
According to him, Security vote in Nigeria is a monthly allowance that is allocated to the 36 States within the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And it is for the sole purpose of funding security services within such States.
Itodo spoke during at the Townhall on Security on Channels Television to mark Nigeria’s 25th Democracy Day on Wednesday.
According to him, these funds have not been used by the Governors to address fundamental issues.
He said, “We have got security votes that has been part of our democratic system. Ask the politicians, or ask the governors, what have they done with those security votes.”
“And we have seen that some of them have been conduit pipes. Those resources have not been used to address the fundamental issues that bedevil our politics.
“Yes, the President says he is going to tackle this, we should give him the benefit of doubt to do so. But as citizens, we don’t feel secure in our country.”
Itodo, also bemoaned the level of insecurity in the country. He said Nigerians need to pay tribute to the men and women in the various security agencies.
“They are doing their bit to secure our country, some of them lose their lives. Some of them have families and some have died in the cause of national duty.
“So, we should pay tribute because even the democracy we are celebrating today is protected by the security forces.”
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