morgANABLE politics/Governance
The President reiterated that his administration, since assuming office in 2023, has adopted a bottom-up approach to national development, stressing that meaningful progress cannot be achieved through centralised governance alone.
KaNo—
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday charged the 774 local government chairmen across Nigeria to translate his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda into concrete development outcomes that would be felt directly by citizens at the grassroots.
The President made the call at the maiden Annual National Conference of Local Government Council Chairmen, held at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, where he emphasised that the success of government policies should not be measured by pronouncements in the capital but by their visible impact in communities.
According to a statement issued by the Presidency, Tinubu said governance only becomes meaningful when it improves the daily lives of ordinary Nigerians in villages, wards and towns across the country.
“The theme, ‘Cascading President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to the Grassroots,’ goes to the heart of our national assignment because government only becomes meaningful when its impact is felt in the daily lives of our people,” the President said.
“The true test of policy is not what is announced in Abuja, but what changes in our wards, villages, towns and communities,” he added.
Tinubu recalled his time as governor of Lagos State, noting that his administration’s push for the creation of additional local councils later structured as 37 Local Council Development Areas was driven by the need to bring governance closer to the people.
He said the initiative was not about political expansion, as critics had suggested at the time, but about improving access to services and ensuring that government presence was felt more directly by residents.
“It is pleasing for me to recall my conviction on grassroots governance when I served as Governor of Lagos State. Our administration pursued additional local councils, which became the 37 Local Council Development Areas,” he said.
“We did so because a rapidly growing population required government to move closer to the people. Contrary to some narratives that gained currency, our vision was about shortening the distance between government and the governed.”
The President reiterated that his administration, since assuming office in 2023, has adopted a bottom-up approach to national development, stressing that meaningful progress cannot be achieved through centralised governance alone.
“Building on that experience, my administration has pursued national development with a strengthened belief that Nigeria cannot develop from the centre alone. Development must take root from the bottom up,” he stated.
Tinubu also highlighted the Federal Government’s legal action that resulted in the Supreme Court judgment of July 11, 2024, affirming the financial and administrative autonomy of local governments across the federation.
He described the ruling as historic, noting that it marked a turning point in strengthening grassroots governance, but warned that autonomy must translate into improved service delivery.
“This administration demonstrated political will when it approached the Supreme Court to affirm the constitutional rights and financial autonomy of our local governments,” he said.
“The judgment was historic. Local government autonomy is not an end in itself; rather, it is an instrument for service.”
The President urged council chairmen and councillors to prioritise critical sectors such as primary healthcare, basic education, rural infrastructure, water supply, food production and support for small and medium enterprises.
He stressed that Nigerians should begin to see tangible improvements in these areas, particularly at the community level.
“Nigerians in all parts of the country must witness and experience better primary healthcare, basic education, rural roads, safe water, stronger food systems, support for small businesses, and opportunities for women and young people,” Tinubu said.
He added that the autonomy granted to local governments comes with increased responsibility and accountability, urging local officials to be responsive to the needs of their communities.
“The autonomy pronounced by the Supreme Court places a huge responsibility on all chairmen, elected councillors and their management to deliver impactful governance at the grassroots,” he noted.
“Your knowledge of where the clinic lacks medicine, where farmers need support, where young people need opportunity, and where tension is beginning to rise, will help to deliver these dividends.”
Tinubu further encouraged local government authorities to adopt evidence-based decision-making processes, including the use of data, technology and reliable statistics in planning and implementation.
According to him, councils must evolve into centres of planning, service delivery and early warning systems capable of addressing emerging challenges before they escalate.
“To achieve these goals, your councils must become centres of planning, delivery, early warning and measurable results. You must imbibe the culture of evidence-based decision-making, driven by technology and reliable statistics,” he said.
On security, the President reaffirmed that it remains a top priority of his administration, noting ongoing efforts to strengthen and reform the country’s security architecture.
He, however, emphasised that sustainable peace requires active engagement at the community level, urging local leaders to work closely with traditional rulers, religious leaders and civil society groups.
“Since the inception of this administration, the issue of security has occupied a top priority position. The Federal Government has continued to strengthen, equip and reform our military institutions,” he said.
“Government is conscious that lasting peace is built community by community. I urge you to deepen engagement with traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth and women’s groups, and lawful security agencies.”
He tasked council chairmen with preventing conflicts by identifying and addressing grievances early, warning that unresolved local tensions often escalate into larger security crises.
With the 2027 general elections drawing closer, Tinubu also called on local government leaders to play a stabilising role by promoting peaceful political participation and discouraging violence.
He reminded them that while the conduct of elections rests with the Independent National Electoral Commission, they have a responsibility to ensure a conducive environment for voters.
“Nigeria is entering the decisive weeks and months of the election cycle leading up to the 2027 General Election,” he said.
“As leaders of the communities where elections will take place, you have an overarching responsibility to help create an atmosphere in which every Nigerian can exercise his or her democratic right without fear.”
The President urged them to adopt a zero-tolerance stance against thuggery, hate speech and intimidation, while also cautioning against the exploitation of youths for political violence or substance abuse.
“I urge you to discourage divisions and adopt a zero-tolerance policy for thuggery, intimidation, hate speech and violence. Ensure that our youths are not lured into substance use and abuse,” he added.
He further called on local leaders to reduce tensions, support lawful security coordination and respect citizens’ freedom to make their electoral choices.
Tinubu concluded by reiterating that the Renewed Hope Agenda must be reflected in visible improvements in food security, healthcare, education, infrastructure, job creation and local enterprise development.
“Our democracy is strengthened when citizens can participate peacefully and have confidence in the electoral process,” he said.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda must become visible at the grassroots, especially in food security, healthcare, education, infrastructure, jobs and local enterprise.”
