By Jane Okafor, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has lamented the neglect of the local government areas across the country and appealed to State Governments of Ogun, oil bearing Delta State and 34 others to have sympathy for their respective councils by prioritising the needs of people in local communities.
President Tinubu urged the country’s 36 governors to ensure accountability and effectiveness in the administration of council areas.
The President made the appeal while speaking at a meeting with the leadership of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
A statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said Tinubu also expressed concern over the seeming lack of attention for the grassroots where he observed votes come from and charged his guests to reach out to governors on the local governments’ administration in the country, to be sympathetic and urgently attend to the needs of the local people.
“We are running a constitutional democracy. I will appeal to you to summon the Governors. I am doing my very best to enhance the revenue base of the country. They must equally be sympathetic and they must urgently consider the needs of the local people.
“People reside in the local communities. That is where they work, farm and live. If the local governments are not effective in delivering services; as leaders, we must not hang on to the numbers. We have 774 local government areas, but are they truly effective? Do they solve problems for Nigerians? Do they coordinate development programming with the state and federal governments?
“Who is being held accountable for the performance of the 774 local governments? Maybe we should look at recalibrating. What was good four years ago may not be good today. When we want the votes, we go to the locals; when we get the votes, we move to and focus on Abuja,” the President said.
