FG: Tinubu committed to grassroots development through LG autonomy

Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, says President Bola Tinubu is committed to promoting grassroots development by restoring full autonomy to LG councils.

Speaking in Abuja on Friday during a courtesy visit by members of the National Forum of Ex-Councillors to his office, Idris said LGs are the closest tier of government to the people and essential to democratic growth.

“Local government, which is the third tier of the executive arm, is actually the closest to the people of Nigeria,” the minister said.

“And that is why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his wisdom, has revisited the issue of autonomy for the local government councils.”

Idris noted that a supreme court judgement had reaffirmed the constitutional requirement for LGs to operate independently in all aspects—politically and financially.

“You are aware that sometime last year, an interpretation was sought by the attorney-general of the federation at the supreme court,” he said.

“There was this pronouncement from the supreme court, 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 to function in all ramifications.”

The minister said Tinubu believes the restoration of LG autonomy would strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and fast-track development at the grassroots.

“Their autonomy and their ability to function very well will strengthen our democracy at the grassroots. It will also strengthen and promote development at that level,” Idris said.

He recalled that LGs used to play a powerful role in national development but have lost much of that capacity over the years.

“Once upon a time, the local government used to be very strong in this country. We all know that,” he said.

“Over the years, we have seen the whittling down of the ability of the local government council to function as enshrined in our constitution.”

Idris said Tinubu, as a strong believer in democracy, is determined to correct this decline and ensure that local councils function as intended by the constitution.

“For our democracy to take hold and advance to the level we want it to be, there must be a strengthening of that tier of government,” he said.

The minister commended the ex-councillors for their commitment to democracy since 1999 and urged them to continue playing active roles in national development.

The ex-councillors, comprising representatives from various states across the federation, were led by Auwal Hassan, the forum’s president.

On Friday, The Punch reported that state governors received N4.5 trillion in LG funds one year after the supreme court’s ruling on council autonomy.