President Bola Tinubu has said that the deterioration of grassroots governance has contributed significantly to Nigeria’s insecurity, arguing that effective local government administration is essential for national development.
In his Democracy Day address on Friday, Tinubu said his administration was pursuing financial autonomy for the country’s 774 local government councils to ensure that democracy delivers tangible benefits to citizens at the grassroots level.
“Recognising that democracy is undermined when people do not feel its impact, my administration has sought financial autonomy for our 774 local councils,” the president said.
“A fundamental challenge to our nation’s advancement has been ineffective local government administration. The insecurity we are addressing is partly due to the collapse of grassroots governance.”
Tinubu said the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda is intended to ensure that all Nigerians benefit from governance regardless of location or social status.
He framed the country’s progress as a generational responsibility, saying Nigeria’s founding generation secured independence, the June 12 generation secured democracy, and the current generation must secure prosperity.
“The generation of our founding fathers secured independence. The generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity,” he said.
The president urged Nigerians to reject division and despair, and instead work together toward a more prosperous and inclusive nation.
“Let us move forward together, rejecting division, cynicism and despair; embracing unity, hope and confidence,” Tinubu said.
“Let us build a Nigeria united by a common purpose, strengthened by diversity, where justice is accessible, liberty is secure and opportunity is abundant.”
