President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on chairmen of Nigeria's 774 local government areas to utilize their financial autonomy to drive development at the grassroots level. Speaking at the maiden annual national conference of local government council chairmen in Abuja, Tinubu emphasized that autonomy was not an end in itself but a means to improve services and governance. He was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
Tinubu's administration has demonstrated its commitment to local government autonomy by approaching the Supreme Court to affirm the constitutional rights and financial autonomy of local governments. The court's July 11, 2024 judgment was described as historic by the President. He stressed that the judgment placed a huge responsibility on council chairmen, elected councilors, and their management to deliver impactful governance in their respective communities.
The President urged council chairmen to apply their knowledge of local conditions to identify gaps in healthcare, agricultural support, youth opportunities, and community security. He emphasized that Nigerians must witness better primary healthcare, basic education, rural roads, safe water, stronger food systems, and support for small businesses. Tinubu also tasked councils with becoming centers of planning, service delivery, early warning, and measurable results, supported by technology and reliable statistics.
President Tinubu's commitment to grassroots governance was informed by his experience as governor of Lagos State, where he pursued additional local councils that became the 37 local council development areas. He said the objective was to shorten the distance between government and the governed, widen access to services, and create more centers of local development. The same principle underpins his administration's approach to national development.
Tinubu assigned council chairmen a role in maintaining security and preventing local conflicts, urging them to deepen engagement with traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth and women's groups, community associations, and lawful security agencies. He emphasized that lasting peace was built "community by community" and that local leaders should identify and address grievances before they escalate into crises.
With the 2027 general election approaching, President Tinubu reminded chairmen of the need to help create an atmosphere in which citizens could exercise their democratic rights without fear. He called for zero tolerance for thuggery, intimidation, hate speech, and electoral violence. The President also urged leaders to prevent youths from being recruited into violence or exposed to substance abuse.
President Tinubu's address to council chairmen reflects his administration's focus on grassroots development and democratic governance. The President's emphasis on measurable results, accountability, and community engagement highlights the importance of local government autonomy in driving national development. Key to this effort is the ability of council chairmen to translate autonomy into tangible development outcomes that improve the lives of Nigerians.
Key points
- President Tinubu urges council chairmen to use financial autonomy to deliver improvements in basic services and governance at the grassroots level.
- The Supreme Court's July 11, 2024 judgment affirmed the constitutional rights and financial autonomy of local governments.
- Tinubu emphasizes the need for council chairmen to prioritize community engagement, accountability, and measurable results in their governance.
