President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has debunked speculations of a rift with state governors over the federal government’s push for local government autonomy.
Speaking during a New Year homage visit by the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu reiterated his commitment to grassroots development while emphasizing the importance of collaboration between federal and state governments.
In July 2024, the Supreme Court affirmed financial autonomy for the nation’s 774 local governments, a decision that has prompted swift local government elections in many states.
However, Tinubu clarified his position, assuring governors that there is no federal agenda to undermine their authority over local governments.
“We will not fight within us. I will drive the change. You control your local governments. You can restore hope by effectively fulfilling what the people expect at the grassroots level.
“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.”
“We have to work harder, grow more, and ensure the situation of our currency improves. Nigeria will see prosperity, but it requires consistent effort from all of us,” he said.
“There is no state we cannot visit and be proud of its development. We have better allocations now. Let me take the abuse; you take the privileges. Together, we will build a nation we are all proud of,” he said.
“I am glad I asked for this job, and Nigerians gave me the mandate. We’ll be on this voyage together. I thank all of you for where we are today and where we are heading,” he said.
The president also announced that he will be visiting Enugu State on January 4 as part of his planned visits to some states of the federation.
Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Kwara State, said, “The policies are working. In agriculture, I was in Jigawa. The complaint in Jigawa was that there was bumper harvest, but because of the strength of our currency, traders exported the harvest.
“So, most of us are encouraging ourselves to buy bumper stocks into our silos, store them for the rainy day. So, in terms of agriculture, the policy is working. We’ll continue to deepen that and ensure we are 100% sustained in food security and feed the whole of West Africa,” he said.
The governor urged the president to visit various states to see the ongoing transformations and progress firsthand.
“I must confess that I have not done two years in this administration, but I’ve done more projects in two years than in the four years of my first term”, Governor Abdulrazak said.
“We are getting more funding due to the restructuring of the economy. Yes, there is inflation, but we are overriding it,” the governor said.
