Senior Special Assistant to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, Rinsola Abiola, has said last week’s ruling of the Supreme Court granting financial autonomy to local government chairmen would promote grassroots development as the citizens can now demand accountability from council chairmen.
Abiola made the remarks while speaking with journalists in Abuja at the weekend.
The apex court, while delivering judgment on the suit filed by the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) on behalf of the Federal Government, seeking full autonomy for local government councils in the country, had declared that local government councils should receive and manage their allocations themselves.
The presidential aide called on citizens to take advantage of the ruling by participating in local government elections and by holding their leaders to account.
“I hereby urge all citizens to seize the moment by actively participating in community development efforts and local government elections, and also hold their leaders accountable. Increased transparency and improved service delivery at the local level depend on active civic engagement. All hands must now be on deck to ensure that this ruling translates to improved local government administration in the 774 LGAs across the federation.”
While commending President Tinubu for the initiative, Abiola said the ruling has proved that Nigeria’s democracy has come of age.
“For years, the effectiveness of local government administration has been a challenge and this has negatively impacted public service delivery at the grassroots. This ruling highlights the judiciary’s dedication to preserving the best interests of citizens and the rule of law as enshrined in our Constitution. Local governments are crucial to our democratic system and preserving their autonomy is essential to quickening the pace of development.”
She equally lauded President Tinubu’s commitment to democratic ideals, saying his approach to governance is exemplary.
“As evidenced by the bold decision to approach the Court, the President Bola Tinubu-led administration is committed to entrenching true democratic principles and enabling government at all levels to better address the needs of our people. The President’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law is exemplary and highly commendable,” she noted.
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