The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria warns the local government chairmen not to condone thuggery, discrimination, victimization, tribalism, and all forms of possibly disruptive conduct in the forthcoming 2027 general election. This compulsory measure is to ensure a free and fair demonstration of electoral rights. He urged community heads to encourage a peaceful atmosphere to reinforce the exercise of the citizens’ democratic rights whilst preventing all forms of electoral violence. He was represented by the secretary to the senator, Senator George Akume of the Federal State.
The President (FRN) gave this speech during the maiden annual national conference themed ‘Cascading President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to the Grassroots’ at the Banquet Hall of the State, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Abuja. The President, in his speech, asserted that though the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has the primary obligation to see to the administration of all electoral matters, he urged the Local Government Chairmen to ensure the peaceful and just election whilst employing the appropriate method to shield the people against any form of violence.
The President further encouraged the community and religious heads, youths, women, and other members of natural groups to de-escalate animosity and antagonism before it deteriorates, he posited, while putting in place the mechanisms for the aforementioned. President Tinubu further affirmed that the Renewed Hope agenda would carry out all societal necessities even at grassroots levels, because, according to him, it is not what is promised but how it is effected on infrastructure, food, jobs, education, medical care, and local enterprises.
“To achieve these goals, your councils must become centers of planning, delivery, early warning, and measurable results. You must imbibe the culture of evidence-based decision-making, driven by technology and reliable statistics. This emphasis accords with the administration’s current grassroots approach, under which councils are being called upon to provide proper planning, coordination, implementation, and accountability.
The president recalls a July 11, 2024, precedent that gave financial autonomy to the Local Government Council chairmen. He encourages the local government not to be perverse. Rather, he encouraged them to support government initiatives by taking on the obligation of ensuring peace and harmony.
In his exact words he said, “This has been made much easier with the establishment of Regional Development Commissions because they bring greater attention to your peculiarities and are really available for partnership, investment, and performance measurement.
He reminisced about his tenure as governor of Lagos State, which brought about the increase in the number of local governments to 37. This unique move, he affirmed, is intended to empower the grassroots government, insisting that Nigeria will not take a significant turn if it is not transformed at the local level, because Nigeria may not become all that has been envisioned if her growth is partial rather than absolute. He finally urges the 774 local government chairmen to see to the implementation of the advancement and reform of all areas of the local government as an enabling factor to help the tenure reach its full potential.
