President Tinubu Assures To Strengthen LG Administration

By Linda Ike

President Bola Tinubu has assured commitment of strengthening local Government administration, saying it is the cornerstone of national security architecture.

The President who spoke at a one-day national discourse on Nigeria’s security challenges and good government at the local government said that good governance at all levels of government will foster development and reduce conflicts.

He expressed concern over the sorry state of the nation’s local government system, saying the state of affairs in the third tier of government has contributed to the developmental setbacks and inability to address prevailing national security threats.

Tinubu urged state governors to lose grip on local government autonomy, stating that Local governments, being the closest government to the people are strategically positioned to promote human security by delivering essential services like health, education, sanitation, and social welfare programs directly to communities where they are most needed.

He said “They are important in ensuring that our communities are safe, prosperous, and resilient. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to strengthen our local government system to effectively address those challenges.

“By empowering local government authority with the necessary resources and capacities to implement sustainable development initiatives, we can create a more secure and stable nation.

“It is imperative to acknowledge that security is fundamentally about human beings, not just the state. After all, it is individuals who make up the state, not the other way around.

Represented by the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, the President said a good governance state is better equipped to address internal challenges such as terrorism, insurgency, and communal violence.

He also said that the absence of good governance leads to widespread corruption, political instability, economic disparities, and social unrest which not only undermine human security by depriving individuals of their basic needs but also is a significant threat to national security by fostering conditions conducive for complete, complex and extreme.

“Sadly, the state of our local government system in Nigeria is a cause of concern, as its degradation, and incapacitation have continued significantly and have contributed significantly to our developmental setback and our inability to effectively address the prevailing national security threat.

“We find ourselves trapped in a paradoxical situation where the very areas most affected by security classes are rendered powerless and unable to mount any meaningful resistance or defense.

“Local governments are the frontline defenders against insecurity, as they are closest to the people and possess intimate knowledge of their community’s needs and challenges. This is why some are advocating for community policing, as a panacea to end security challenges,” The president said.

Tinubu said the challenges of the country’s national security have persisted over time, posing a threat to the safety and well-being as a nation, adding that the scourge of insurgency, terrorism, banditry, and other forms of criminality, have inflicted untold suffering on people and undermine collective peace and prosperity.

According to him, the nation must confront those challenges ahead on, if we are to move forward in our journey toward development.

He said, “While various measures have been proposed and implemented, it is evident that ensuring the security of our people and our nation is a collective responsibility that requires the active participation of government at all levels as well as active collaborations of citizens.

“The world was hit by those security skirmishes in the rural areas as our local populace and the economy continue to be unsettled by enemies of the state.

“I make bold to say that since I assumed office, we have made significant strides and achieved remarkable results in our effort to secure our nation. So much more needs to be done particularly by governments within the local areas where those attacks are prominent.”

The President tasked Nigerians to explore the nexus of good governance, human security, and national security, adding that three elements are intricately linked, and play very important roles in shaping the stability, prosperity, and overall well-being of the nation.

He stressed that the stability and prosperity of any nation, are intricately linked to the quality of its governance.

He said his administration was committed to implementing measures aimed at bolstering the local government system, saying “This commitment is deeply rooted in our bottom-of-development approach.

“Recognizing that sustainable development, national security, and prosperity can only be achieved when every level of government functions effectively and accountably. We must realize that the local government system is not just a matter of administrative convenience.

“It is a cornerstone of our national security architecture and by empowering local governments to fulfill their mandate efficiently and ethically, we create a solid foundation for ensuring the safety, stability, and well-being of Nigerians