Obinna Ichita:Reclaiming the Grassroots: A civic demand for transparency in Abia’s local governance

While we acknowledge the efforts of the estate government, it is crucial that our people do not overlook the third tier of government and the constitutional responsibilities it carries.

Every month, each of the 17 local government areas in Abia receives hundreds of millions of naira. These are funds entrusted to them for development, essential services, and community welfare. The question we must all ask is simple: what have they done with these resources?

Local government chairmen have no immunity. They cannot hide from scrutiny, nor can they evade the accountability that democracy requires. These funds are not personal privileges; they belong to the people.

In any true democracy, accountability is not a gesture of goodwill. It is a core obligation and one of the defining pillars of responsible governance.

The era of impunity must end. The people must find their voice, question the use of their resources, and insist that every kobo be traced, justified, and transparently accounted for.

A new civic consciousness is emerging; One in which citizens refuse to remain passive, and instead demand performance, value, and integrity across all levels of government.
This is how real democracy grows.

Hon Obinna Ichita, former Abia state deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance