Councillors back commitment to LG autonomy

The National Councillors Forum of Nigeria has declared its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, citing the restoration of local government autonomy as a major boost for grassroots development. Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja, the forum described the administration’s policies as transformational, saying the “Renewed Hope” agenda was […]

The National Councillors Forum of Nigeria has declared its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, citing the restoration of local government autonomy as a major boost for grassroots development.

Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja, the forum described the administration’s policies as transformational, saying the “Renewed Hope” agenda was beginning to deliver tangible benefits to rural communities across the country.

The forum, which includes serving and former councillors, said its members, as the closest tier of government to the people, were well positioned to assess the impact of the President’s reforms.

Those who spoke at the briefing included the forum’s president, Dr Evoh Okechukwu Nwikegwu; National Coordinator of ST/HT Grassroots Coordinators of Development, Hon. Hyacinth Horvel Turnoe; and National Coordinator of the Citizens Network for Peace and Development, Chief Okorie Ikechukwu Raphael. The group, which claims a nationwide network of 8,809 councillors across the 774 local government areas, described local government autonomy as the administration’s “crowning achievement”, saying it had improved funding and accountability.

It urged grassroots mobilisation nationwide to support Tinubu’s re-election, arguing that the President deserved a second term to consolidate his reforms.