President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged local government chairmen across Nigeria to uphold fairness, transparency and inclusiveness in appointments, administration and the distribution of opportunities and resources.
Tinubu made the call in Abuja in a keynote address delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, at a workshop organized 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.
Tinubu said Nigeria’s diversity remained one of the country’s greatest assets, stressing the need to manage its ethnic, cultural and religious differences through fairness and inclusiveness.
“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 said the Federal Character principle, as enshrined in Section 14 of the 1999 Constitution, provided an institutional and moral framework for ensuring that Nigeria’s diversity was reflected in government at all levels.
He said the principle was essential to fostering a sense of belonging and loyalty among Nigerians, which he described as critical to the country’s stability, unity and progress.
Tinubu described local government councils as a strategic part of Nigeria’s governance structure because of their proximity to the people and the direct impact of their decisions on citizens.
“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,” he said. He charged the chairmen to ensure that grassroots governance remained inclusive, representative and equitable.
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“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,” Tinubu said.
He said adherence to the principles would strengthen public confidence in government and reinforce national unity.
The President also warned that laws and institutions alone could not guarantee the desired outcomes without visionary leadership, ethical conduct and deliberate commitment.
“You must rise above sectional interests and embrace a broader national perspective that prioritizes unity over division and inclusiveness over exclusion,” he told the chairmen.
Tinubu further said inclusive governance could strengthen social cohesion, minimize conflicts 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 minimized, and the environment becomes conducive for economic growth and innovation,” he said.
He commended the Federal Character Commission for recognizing local governments as a vital component in the implementation of Federal Character principles and described the workshop as an opportunity for the chairmen to develop practical strategies for applying the principles in local governance.
“The future of our democracy depends significantly on the strength, fairness, and inclusiveness of our local institutions,” Tinubu said.
He formally declared the workshop open and commended the commission for its “unwavering dedication to promoting national integration.”
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