President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has again lamented the poor delivery of democracy dividends at the grassroots and called on state governors to prioritise the needs of local communities.
This, according to him, should be done by the governors by ensuring accountability and effectiveness in the administration of local governments.
President Tinubu made the call when he received the leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday.
He also spoke on out-of-school children, security, and the economy.
Noting the lack of attention for the grassroots, where he said the highest number of votes come from during elections, Tinubu said the ACF leadership should wade in by imploring governors to urgently pay attention to the needs of people in the councils.
Tinubu, in a statement by his Special Adviser(Media and Publicity) Ajuri Ngalale, said: “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.
“People reside in the local communities. That is where they work, farm, and live. If the local governments are not effective in delivering services; as leaders, we must not hang on to the numbers. We have 774 local government areas, but are they truly effective? Do they solve problems for Nigerians? Do they coordinate development programming with the state and federal governments?
“Who is being held accountable for the performance of the 774 local governments? Maybe we should look at recalibrating. What was good four years ago may not be good today. When we want the votes, we go to the locals; when we get the votes, we move to and focus on Abuja.”
