By Our Correspondent
Councillors from across the country have praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for granting financial autonomy to local governments, describing the move as a major achievement that has strengthened grassroots governance and earned him widespread political support ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on behalf of local government councillors, the group said the president’s commitment to enforcing local government autonomy has restored confidence at the grassroots level. They noted that for the first time in many years, local councils are beginning to function independently, with improved access to funds and greater control over development projects.
According to the councillors, the direct allocation of funds to local governments has enhanced service delivery, transparency, and accountability. They explained that councils are now better positioned to address local needs such as primary healthcare, basic education, sanitation, and rural infrastructure without undue interference from state governments.
The councillors also described the policy as a boost to democracy, saying it has strengthened the role of elected local officials and given communities a stronger voice in governance. They added that the renewed relevance of local councils has increased public trust and participation at the grassroots level.
They attributed growing support for the president to this development, stating that local government workers, councillors, and residents have welcomed the autonomy policy as a long-awaited reform. According to them, the impact of the policy is already being felt in many communities across the country.
The group urged the federal government to sustain the implementation of local government autonomy and ensure that the reform is fully protected by law. They expressed confidence that continued support for grassroots development would further strengthen national unity and democratic governance.
