A presidential aide has defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to seek local government autonomy through the courts, arguing that ineffective councils are limiting development at the grassroots.
Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North-Central), said the President wants local governments to become more effective and responsive to the needs of ordinary Nigerians.
She described Tinubu’s legal action in support of local government autonomy as evidence of his commitment to empowering communities.
According to Essiet, stronger local councils would help bring development and public services closer to residents, just as federal and state governments implement projects within their jurisdictions.
70% of Community Complaints Linked to Local Governments
Essiet made the remarks during a presidential media briefing in Abuja. She also revealed that her office had established a Citizen Assembly comprising more than 700 people across North-Central communities.
The group helps identify and report local challenges, giving the government a clearer picture of residents’ needs.
She disclosed that approximately 70 per cent of the issues raised through the initiative fell within the responsibilities of local governments.
The figure, she argued, highlights the importance of building councils that can effectively deliver basic services and respond to community concerns.
Presidential Aide Calls for Accountability
Essiet also raised concerns about the performance of some local government workers, particularly poor attendance to duty.
She stressed the need for stronger accountability in the management of local government funds.
According to her, allowing councils to access and manage their resources more effectively would improve their ability to address problems within their communities.
However, she emphasised that local government autonomy must translate into tangible benefits for residents rather than simply changing how funds are distributed.
Tinubu Administration Highlights North-Central Projects
The presidential aide also linked ongoing infrastructure projects to demands raised by communities across the North-Central region.
She cited the 401-kilometre Bida-Lambata-Mokwa Road, valued at ₦1.8 trillion, as one of the projects being pursued by the administration. She said the road had not received a major contract award in about 46 years.
Essiet added that approximately 1,200 infrastructure projects were ongoing across the zone.
She said the projects reflected the administration’s efforts to respond to concerns raised by residents and improve infrastructure in the region.
Why Local Government Autonomy Matters
Local governments are responsible for many services that directly affect daily life, including aspects of primary healthcare, sanitation, local roads and community development.
Essiet maintained that improving grassroots governance would require cooperation among the federal, state and local governments.
Her remarks reinforce the administration’s argument that functional councils are essential to delivering development at the community level.
The key question, however, is whether greater financial and administrative independence will lead to stronger accountability, better public services and measurable improvements in the lives of residents.
Source: State House briefing.
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