Tinubu to governors: No plan to take LGAs from you… we need collaboration

President Bola Tinubu says there is no plan by the federal government to take over the control of LGAs in the country.

Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesperson, said in a statement that Tinubu spoke in Lagos on Wednesday when members of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and Vice-President Kashim Shettima paid him a New Year homage.

Tinubu asked the governors to drive Nigeria’s agricultural revolution and strengthen LG autonomy to foster grassroots development and economic stability.

The president reaffirmed his commitment to local government development and autonomy, emphasising its importance for grassroots progress.

“We will not fight within us. I will drive the change. You control your local governments. You can restore hope by effectively fulfilling what the people expect at the grassroots level,” Onanuga quoted Tinubu to have said.

“There were gossips that we had disagreements on local government autonomy. No. Just drive development at the local government. Nobody wants to take them away from you, but we need collaboration. Let’s do it together and ensure Nigeria is better off for it.

“You are the most important link to Nigeria’s prosperity and development.

“The federal government accounts for about 30 to 35 percent of the allocated revenue; the rest comes to you. The agricultural value chain depends on you. You own the land, and the job is in your hands.”

Tinubu highlighted the importance of collaboration between the federal and state governments to tackle critical issues, including food security, local government empowerment, and economic growth.

He called for a unified effort to boost agricultural productivity, adding that governors should take pride in their progress across the states.

“We have to work harder, grow more, and ensure the situation of our currency improves. Nigeria will see prosperity, but it requires consistent effort from all of us,” Tinubu said.

“There is no state we cannot visit and be proud of its development. We have better allocations now. Let me take the abuse; you take the privileges. Together, we will build a nation we are all proud of.”

The president also expressed confidence in Nigeria’s capacity to thrive due to his administration’s resilience and leadership.

He announced plans to visit Enugu state on January 4 as part of his efforts to foster collaboration and witness developments across the federation.

Also speaking, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the NGF chairman and governor of Kwara, praised Tinubu’s agricultural initiatives, citing notable gains in food production and security.

“The policies are working. In agriculture, the complaint in Jigawa was that there was a bumper harvest, but because of the strength of our currency, traders exported the harvest,” AbdulRazaq said.

“Most of us are encouraging ourselves to buy bumper stocks into our silos for the rainy day.”

The NGF chairman asked that the president visit states to witness development firsthand while pledging governors’ support for his administration’s vision.