President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reassured state governors that the federal government will not interfere with the autonomy of local government areas (LGAs) in Nigeria. He made this statement during a New Year homage in Lagos, where members of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and Vice-President Kashim Shettima were in attendance.
Tinubu emphasized the importance of collaboration and local government autonomy in driving grassroots development and economic stability. He urged governors to take the lead in Nigeria’s agricultural revolution and ensure the effective operation of LGAs to foster progress at the grassroots level.
Addressing rumors of federal interference, Tinubu said, “There were gossips that we had disagreements on local government autonomy. No. Just drive development at the local government. Nobody wants to take them away from you, but we need collaboration. Let’s do it together and ensure Nigeria is better off for it.”
Tinubu also highlighted the vital role of state governments in Nigeria’s prosperity, noting that the federal government accounts for only 30 to 35 percent of the allocated revenue. He emphasized that the agricultural value chain depends on the states, as they own the land and have the job of driving development.
The president stressed that a unified effort between federal and state governments is necessary to tackle key issues such as food security, local government empowerment, and economic growth. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening the naira and enhancing Nigeria’s overall prosperity.
AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, NGF chairman and governor of Kwara, commended Tinubu’s agricultural policies, citing significant gains in food production and security. He encouraged the president to visit various states to witness their progress firsthand.
Tinubu accepted the call, with plans to visit Enugu on January 4. This move is seen as a step towards strengthening the relationship between the federal government and state governments.
The meeting between Tinubu and the state governors marks a significant development in the country’s efforts to drive grassroots development and economic growth. With the reassurance of local government autonomy, states can now focus on driving development and progress.
As Nigeria enters a new year, the collaboration between federal and state governments is expected to yield positive results, with a focus on food security, economic growth, and local government empowerment.
