President Bola Tinubu has expressed concern over the inadequate delivery of democratic benefits at the grassroots level, urging state governors to prioritize the needs of local communities. This call was made during a meeting with the leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday. Tinubu addressed several issues, including out-of-school children, security, and the economy.
The President highlighted the neglect of grassroots areas, which he noted are crucial during elections due to their large voter base. He urged the ACF leadership to encourage governors to focus on the needs of their local constituencies.
“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 urgently consider the needs of the local people,” Tinubu stated, as per his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngalale.
Tinubu emphasized the importance of local governance, stating that the 774 local government areas in Nigeria must be effective in providing services and coordinating development with state and federal governments. He questioned the accountability of these local governments and suggested a potential recalibration to improve their effectiveness.
Highlighting the crucial role of education in nation-building, Tinubu described the high number of out-of-school children in Nigeria as unacceptable. On the topic of security, he praised the efforts of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and pledged to invest more in technology to ensure the safety of Nigerian citizens.
President Tinubu also called for national unity and continued support for his administration as it addresses the country’s challenges. He directed the establishment of a committee to follow up on the issues discussed at the meeting, with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, leading these efforts.
In summary, Tinubu’s message was clear: for democracy to thrive in Nigeria, state governors must pay more attention to grassroots governance and work collaboratively to address the needs of their local communities.
