President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demanded inclusive, representative and equitable governance at the grassroots, urging local government chairmen to ensure fairness in appointments, administration and distribution of opportunities and resources.
The President made the call on Monday 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 organised 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 Federal Character principles at the grassroots.
According to an official statement signed by Yomi Odunuga, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, President Tinubu said Nigeria’s diversity remained one of its greatest assets and must be managed through fairness, justice and inclusiveness.
“Our multiplicity of cultures, ethnicities, and beliefs forms a vibrant national tapestry that must be carefully managed through fairness, justice, and inclusiveness,” the President said.
He noted that the Federal Character principle, enshrined in Section 14(4) of the 1999 Constitution, provides an institutional and moral framework for reflecting the diversity of Nigerians in government.
Tinubu stressed that local government councils occupied a strategic position in the governance architecture because they represent the closest tier of government to 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.
The President therefore charged local government chairmen to ensure that their councils reflected the principles of inclusiveness, representation and equity in governance.
“You, as Local Government Chairmen, carry the immense responsibility of ensuring that governance is inclusive, representative, and equitable,” he said.
Tinubu specifically urged the council chairmen to uphold fairness in appointments, transparency in administration and balance in the distribution of opportunities and resources.
He said such an approach would strengthen citizens’ confidence in government and reinforce national unity, adding that the Federal Character principle was essential to promoting a sense of belonging and loyalty among Nigerians.
The President warned that laws and institutions alone could not guarantee the effective implementation of Federal Character principles without visionary leadership, ethical conduct and deliberate commitment.
“You must rise above sectional interests and embrace a broader national perspective that prioritises unity over division and inclusiveness over exclusion,” he told the chairmen.
He further linked inclusive governance to national development, noting that when citizens felt represented and valued, social cohesion was strengthened, conflicts were reduced and the environment became more conducive to economic growth and innovation.
“When every segment of society feels represented and valued, social cohesion is strengthened, conflicts are minimised, and the environment becomes conducive for economic growth and innovation,” Tinubu said.
He described the workshop as an opportunity for local government chairmen to deepen their understanding of Federal Character principles and develop practical strategies for incorporating them into grassroots administration.
Tinubu urged the participants to actively engage with the workshop and commit themselves to the ideals of fairness, equity and national integration.
“The future of our democracy depends significantly on the strength, fairness, and inclusiveness of our local institutions,” the President said.
He formally declared the workshop open and commended the Federal Character Commission for its dedication to promoting national integration.
