OVERVIEW
As concerned citizens of Nigeria and Benue State and lover of true federalism in Nigeria, we commence this petition by commending the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council for convening the joint emergency meeting on December 1, 2025, at the Council Chamber, Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, to address the prevailing insecurity plaguing the Northern region. This proactive step underscores the urgency of tackling banditry, terrorism, and other threats that demand collective action. Also, we commend their reaffirmation of support for the establishment of State Police, a vital step toward decentralising security architecture for more responsive and effective policing.
CONTRADICTION WITH DECENTRALISATION PRINCIPLE
The resolution to create a Regional Security Trust Fund, funded by deducting ₦1 billion monthly from each state and local government at source, starkly contradicts the same meeting’s endorsement of State Police, which promotes decentralisation. By centralising funds regionally while advocating state-level policing, the decision undermines the autonomy essential for states to tailor security responses to local realities. This hypocrisy risks reverting to the over-centralised federal model, and the forum seeks to reform through state policing.
VIOLATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL FISCAL AUTONOMY
Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended) safeguards statutory allocations to states and local governments under Sections 162(1-8), which establish the Federation Account and prohibit unauthorised deductions without National Assembly approval or constitutional amendment. Section 7(1) mandates democratically elected local government councils with fiscal independence, while the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission Act protects allocations from arbitrary diversions. Imposing “deductions at source” for a regional fund without legislative consent constitutes unlawful tampering, potentially breaching these provisions and exposing states and local governments within the region to legal challenges from citizens.
THREAT TO CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND AUTONOMY
The Northern region encompasses diverse ethnic groups, cultures, and beliefs, including Benue’s Tiv, Idoma, and Igede populations, with unique security needs distinct from other states. A one-size-fits-all regional fund erodes state and local government autonomy, stifling tailored initiatives and fostering resentment among culturally varied communities. This centralisation ignores the forum’s own decentralisation push via State Police, risking inefficiency and inequity in fund deployment.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Instead of a regional fund, the forum should encourage each state and local government to establish independent state or Local Government Security Trust Funds, aligning with fiscal autonomy and decentralisation principles. Such localised funds would enable precise targeting of insecurity while respecting constitutional mandates.
We urge the Benue State House of Assembly and State Executive Council to reject this regional fund recommendation outright, prioritising state-level solutions that uphold our autonomy and diversity.
Thank you very much.
Elder Fidelis Aondover Gberindyer
Convener, Balanced Rights Advocacy, Nigeria (BRAN)
