President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged chairmen of the 774 local government areas in Nigeria to ensure that their councils do not become breeding grounds for political violence as the country moves towards the 2027 general election. He made this call at the maiden Annual National Conference of the 774 Local Government Council Chairmen at the State House, Abuja. The conference, themed "Cascading President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda to the Grassroots," was attended by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who represented the President.
Tinubu specifically asked the council chairmen to adopt a zero-tolerance policy for political thuggery, intimidation, hate speech, and violence. He warned them against allowing young Nigerians to be recruited for electoral violence or lured into substance abuse under any guise. According to the President, local government leaders have a responsibility to create conditions in which Nigerians can exercise their democratic rights freely and without fear. He emphasized that Nigeria's democracy would be strengthened when citizens are able to participate peacefully in elections and retain confidence in the electoral process.
The President also challenged council chairmen to justify the financial autonomy granted local governments by delivering measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians. He recalled that his administration approached the Supreme Court to affirm the constitutional rights and financial autonomy of local governments, culminating in the July 11, 2024 judgment. Tinubu stressed that local government autonomy should not be treated merely as an entitlement but as an instrument for delivering services to citizens.
Tinubu urged council chairmen to help defuse political tensions in their communities, support lawful security coordination, and protect citizens' right to freely choose their leaders. He said Nigerians should begin to experience better primary healthcare, basic education, rural roads, potable water, stronger food systems, assistance for small businesses, and increased opportunities for women and young people. The President noted that local councils must become centers for development planning, effective service delivery, early warning, and measurable results.
On security, Tinubu said the issue had remained a top priority of his administration, with the Federal Government strengthening, equipping, and reforming security institutions as well as training personnel. However, he noted that sustainable security could not be achieved solely from the center because lasting peace must be built "community by community." The President therefore directed the council chairmen to deepen collaboration with traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth and women groups, community associations, and lawful security agencies to secure their communities.
Tinubu also warned local governments against remaining passive recipients of Federal Government programs, saying they must become active development partners capable of coordinating and innovating to meet the needs of their communities. He said the establishment of regional development commissions had created additional opportunities for local governments to pursue partnerships and investments tailored to their peculiar needs. The President urged the council chairmen to use the conference to develop practical recommendations for tackling obstacles to grassroots development.
The President subsequently declared the conference open and urged participants to work with other tiers of government to transform their local government areas into models of development that would serve as a point of reference. He said history had placed a huge responsibility on the council chairmen to improve the lives, communities, and systems in each of the 774 Local Government Areas.
Key points
- President Tinubu charges local government chairmen to prevent political violence ahead of the 2027 elections.
- Local government autonomy should be used to deliver services to citizens, Tinubu says.
- Council chairmen tasked to deepen collaboration with stakeholders to secure their communities.
