By Ahmed Ahmed
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tiggar has said that the breakdown of local governments in Nigeria paved ways for the prevalence of insecurity in many parts of the country.
The Minister, who stated this in a news conference with newsmen in Bauchi on Sunday, explained that this is why President Bola Tinubu is trying to revive local governments so as to continue to exercise their constitutional autonomy.
He said that President Tinubu remained steadfast and resolute that the local governments reform must take place so as to fix the country for the future of many generations to come.
“One other problem that we’ve had with regards to governance in Nigeria is the failure and complete breakdown of local governments, governance at the local level.
“This is because, if our local governments were functioning properly, they would have a lot of activities, there would be contracts and this would stimulate the local economy.
“But because the local government broke down, that was why we ended up with insecurity in many parts of Nigeria.
“Unless we fix local governments, we can’t improve our standard of living, we can’t have security and this insecurity affects foreign investors who are looking to invest in Nigeria,” said the Minister.
Tuggar added that, notably in President Tinubu’s resolve to reform local governments was his suit against state governors at the Supreme Court to stop them from holding on to local governments funds.
According to him, the President would also reform local council elections which he said, were currently conducted by State Independent Electoral Commissions that are directly under the governors.
He recounted how a governor of one state appointed his Special Adviser on Political Affairs as the Chairman, State Independent Electoral Commission paving way for electoral malpractice and rigging.
