President Tinubu Urges Governors to Focus on Grassroots Development and Accountability

President Bola Tinubu has once again expressed concern over the inadequate delivery of democratic dividends at the grassroots level, urging state governors to prioritize the needs of local communities by ensuring accountability and effectiveness in local government administration. Tinubu made this call during a meeting with the leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngalale, Tinubu emphasized the importance of addressing the needs of local communities, which play a critical role in the electoral process. He urged the ACF leadership to encourage governors to focus on local issues, stating, “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."

Highlighting the inefficiency of local governments, Tinubu questioned their effectiveness in solving problems for Nigerians and coordinating development programs with state and federal governments. He proposed a recalibration of the local government system to ensure better service delivery.

Addressing the issue of out-of-school children, President Tinubu described the situation as unacceptable and stressed the importance of education in nation-building. He stated, “Education is a tool against poverty, and that is what brought many of us here. We must use our education to serve the people and improve their conditions. We must develop the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, which is the education system."

On security, Tinubu commended the efforts of National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and promised increased investment in technology to ensure the security of Nigerian citizens. He also discussed economic development projects such as the AKK project, the dredging of the River Niger, and improving port infrastructure to enhance national prosperity.

Regarding livestock management, Tinubu highlighted the potential economic benefits of dairy farming and urged governors to allocate more land for this purpose. He called for collaboration between herders and state governments, stating, "We are ready to put funds in place to help the herders. If the Brazilians and the Dutch are doing it, we can also do it."

President Tinubu also appealed for national unity and continued support for his administration as it addresses long-standing challenges. He emphasized the strength in Nigeria’s diversity and affirmed his commitment to relieving any cabinet member failing to meet the expectations of Nigerians.

To ensure follow-up on the issues raised during the meeting, Tinubu directed the establishment of a committee led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume. He stressed the importance of promptly addressing the discussed matters, saying, “We must tick the boxes on all that we must quickly do."

The leader of the ACF delegation, Bashir Dalhatu, congratulated Tinubu on his first year in office and expressed the forum’s appreciation for his achievements and service to the country. Dalhatu highlighted the strong trust and confidence Northern Nigeria has in the President, as evidenced by the voting pattern in the last presidential election. The ACF also applauded Tinubu for prioritizing key infrastructure projects such as the Sokoto-Badagry and Trans-Saharan highways.