President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains steadfast in his resolve to implement full local government autonomy across Nigeria, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said.
Speaking in Abuja on Friday while receiving a delegation from the National Forum of Ex-Councilors, Idris described Tinubu as “a strong democrat” determined to restore the third tier of government to its rightful place in the nation’s constitutional structure.
“The local government, which is the third tier of government, is actually the closest to the people,” Idris said.
“President Tinubu, in his wisdom, revisited the issue of autonomy… and the Supreme Court has confirmed what the Constitution already provides — that LGAs must be politically and financially independent.”
The Minister emphasized that empowering local governments is essential for strengthening grassroots democracy and ensuring equitable development nationwide.
“Over time, the ability of local governments to function has been weakened. The President believes this must be corrected for our democracy to grow,” he said.
Governors Urged to Cooperate
Calling on state governors to support the push for autonomy, the Minister said collaboration is key to restoring the structure and purpose originally intended by the Constitution.
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Idris also highlighted the broader economic reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of exchange rates, noting that these steps have already doubled revenue allocations to states and local governments.
“These savings mean more impactful projects for Nigerians. Development Commissions have also been created across geopolitical zones to spread growth,” Idris added.
Former Councilors Honoured the Minister
The visit, which included representatives from all six geopolitical zones, saw the Minister being presented with a “People-Oriented Award” in recognition of his contributions to democratic governance and national orientation.
Mr. Auwal Kassim Hassan, President of the Forum, led the delegation, while Assistant Secretary Mr. Cole Michaels praised the Minister’s leadership and reform-minded approach to public information.
“We are proud of how you’ve repositioned the Ministry’s agencies to deliver the President’s message effectively,” Michaels said.
In response, the Minister urged the ex-councilors — a group of over 70,000 grassroots political influencers — to become “ambassadors” of the Tinubu administration, helping Nigerians understand that the current reforms, though tough, are designed to build long-term prosperity.
“The economy is turning the corner,” Idris said. “Please tell Nigerians the truth: Tinubu means well, and the journey ahead is one of hope and progress.”