The Federal Government has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to local government autonomy as a fundamental step towards deepening democracy and driving development at the grassroots.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave this assurance on Friday when he received members of the National Forum of Ex-Councillors on a courtesy visit in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Rabiu Ibrahim, the President is focused on ensuring the full implementation of local government autonomy in line with constitutional provisions.
“The local government, which is the third tier of government, is actually the closest to the people of Nigeria, and that is why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his wisdom, revisited the issue of autonomy for the local government councils.
You are aware that some time last year, an interpretation was sought by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice at the Supreme Court and there was this pronouncement from the highest court in the land indicating that there is indeed, as enshrined in our constitution, the need for the local government councils to be autonomous; to be independent and also function in all ramifications, whether it’s political or financial,” Idris said.
He added, “Their autonomy and the ability to function very well will strengthen democracy at the grassroots and also promote development at that level.”
Reflecting on the past, the minister noted that local governments were once effective but have since been undermined.
Over the years, we have witnessed the whittling down of the ability of the local government councils to function as enshrined in our constitution.
“The President, being a very strong democrat, believes that for our democracy to advance to the level that we want it to be, the strengthening of that tier of government is essential.
“Democracy is the best form of government, and we would not want a situation where the local government would be weakened,” he stated.
