The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, says local government autonomy is still being perfected for full implementation.
Gbajabiamila stated this on Saturday after casting his vote during the Lagos State council elections held on Saturday.
Freedomoline reports that the chief of staff voted at his ward, Elizabeth Fowler Memorial Primary School, Surulere, Lagos.
He said the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy was widely welcomed across Nigeria and represented a major step forward for grassroots governance.
“The challenge lies in execution and implementation. I believe that, in time, we will achieve full local government autonomy,” he said.
Gbajabiamila stressed that effective grassroots governance was impossible without full autonomy at the local government level.
“That’s what we’re working towards. The Supreme Court’s pronouncement is law. In time, autonomy will be fully realised,” he added.
He, however, expressed concern about low voter turnout across the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas in Lagos.
“There is generally low turnout so far, perhaps because many do not understand the importance of local government elections.
“In some countries, this level of election is even more important than others. We must sensitise and educate our people more,” he urged.
He commended the peaceful nature of the election, noting there were no incidents or disruptions during voting across the areas visited.
“The election has been peaceful, free, fair and calm — and that’s what we all desire in any democratic process,” he stated
Gbajabiamila praised Surulere LGA Chairman, Mr Sulaiman Bamidele, for his developmental efforts and encouraged him to build on the progress made.
“I hope he wins. He must double his efforts and work even harder for the people,” he advised.
He noted that local government remains the closest tier of governance to the people and deserves capable leadership.
“He has done well within his limited resources. I believe he will perform even better going forward,” he said.
