The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has said that it would continue to canvass for local government autonomy in Nigeria as that is the only way to take development to the grassroots.
President of ALGON, Ozo Nwabueze Okafor while addressing journalists after the association’s meeting in Abuja said it is only when local governments are given autonomy both financially and otherwise that Nigeria’s democracy would be deepened.
The association also resolved to work with other tiers of government to ensure that local government elections are conducted in every state of the federation.
He said the association has resolved to work with other tiers of government to make the dividends of democracy available to the grassroot and called on states that are yet to conduct elections to do so for democratic purpose.
He said it is worrisome that many states still have caretaker chairmen who are not elected but appointed by their governors, thereby undermining democracy.
“We advocate for democracy at all levels. We want all the local government chairmen in Nigeria to be elected, so we urge states that do not have elected council chairmen to please do so to entrench democracy and make the people feel a sense of belonging,” he said.
Representatives of ALGON from different states at the meeting passed a vote of confidence on the association’s national leadership. The association also presented its new secretary general, Shittu Bamaiyi Yakmut from Plateau state at the occasion.
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