President Bola Tinubu on Monday, charged local government chairmen across the country to uphold fairness, equity and inclusiveness in appointments, administration and distribution of resources.
Yomi Odunuga, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Secretary to Government of the Federation, SGF, said in a statement, that Tinubu gave the charge on Monday in Abuja in a keynote address at a workshop organised by the Federal Character Commission for local government chairmen.
The workshop, themed, “Translating Federal Character Principles into Local Governance: Bridging Policy and Practice,” focused on strengthening the implementation of the Federal Character principle at the grassroots.
The President who described Nigeria’s diversity as one of its greatest assets, added that “Our multiplicity of cultures, ethnicities, and beliefs forms a vibrant national tapestry that must be carefully managed through fairness, justice, and inclusiveness,” he said.
The President who is as represented by George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, noted that the principle of Federal Character, as enshrined in Section 14(4) of the 1999 Constitution, provided an institutional and moral framework for reflecting the diversity of Nigerians in government.
“This constitutional provision underscores the necessity of reflecting the diversity of our people in the composition and conduct of government at all levels, particularly at the state and local government tiers,” he said.
The workshop comes on the heels of the ongoing reforms at the local government aimed at strengthening security and governance, as well as promoting a sense of belonging and loyalty among Nigerians, at the grassroots
The President said these are critical to the stability, unity and progress of the country.
Tinubu noted that local government councils occupied a strategic position in Nigeria’s governance architecture, being the closest tier of government to the people.
“As the closest tier of government to the people, they serve as the primary interface between citizens and the state. The actions and decisions taken at this level have immediate and tangible impacts on the daily lives of our people,” Tinubu said.
He urged the council chairmen to ensure that governance at the grassroots was inclusive, representative and equitable.
“You, as Local Government Chairmen, carry the immense responsibility of ensuring that governance is inclusive, representative, and equitable. You must embody the principles of fairness in appointments, transparency in administration, and balance in the distribution of opportunities and resources,” the president said.
Tinubu said such an approach would strengthen public confidence in government and reinforce national unity.
He commended the Federal Character Commission for recognising the third tier of government as a vital component in the realisation of Federal Character principles.
The President, however, warned that laws and institutions alone could not achieve the desired outcomes without visionary leadership, ethical conduct and deliberate commitment.
“You must rise above sectional interests and embrace a broader national perspective that prioritises unity over division and inclusiveness over exclusion,” he told the chairmen.
Tinubu further linked inclusive governance to national development, saying representation and fairness could strengthen social cohesion and create an environment conducive to economic growth and innovation.
“When every segment of society feels represented and valued, social cohesion is strengthened, conflicts are minimised, and the environment becomes conducive for economic growth and innovation,” he said.
He described the workshop as “not merely an administrative exercise,” but an opportunity for local government chairmen to deepen their understanding of Federal Character principles, develop practical strategies for embedding them in local governance and urged the participants to engage actively in the workshop and commit themselves to the ideals being promoted.
“The future of our democracy depends significantly on the strength, fairness, and inclusiveness of our local institutions,” he said.
Tinubu formally declared the workshop open and commended the Federal Character Commission for its “unwavering dedication to promoting national integration.”
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