Federal Character: Tinubu, Omidiran, Others Task LG Chairmen on Inclusive Governance, Accountability
By Andrew Abah, Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has tasked chairmen of Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas to translate the principles of federal character into practical, inclusive and equitable governance at the grassroots, stressing that the effectiveness of national governance is ultimately measured by its impact on citizens at the community level.
The President gave the task on Monday in a keynote address delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, at the Federal Character Commission’s national workshop for Local Government chairmen, organised in collaboration with the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) at Tropic Galleria, Abuja.
The two-day workshop, themed “Translating Federal Character Principles into Local Governance: Bridging Policy and Practice,” brought together chairmen of the 774 Local Government Areas, government officials, security agencies and other stakeholders to deepen the implementation of federal character, inclusive governance and grassroots development.
Tinubu said Nigeria’s diversity remained one of its greatest assets, stressing that the country’s multiplicity of cultures, ethnicities and beliefs must be managed through fairness, justice and inclusion.
According to the President, Local Government Councils occupy a strategic position in Nigeria’s governance architecture because they constitute the closest interface between citizens and the state.
“Policies, no matter how well-crafted, achieve little, unless they are effectively translated into action where it matters most, the grassroots,” Tinubu said.
“You must rise above sectional interests and embrace a broader national perspective that prioritises unity over division and inclusiveness over exclusion,” the President said.
Omidiran: Diversity Must Become Our Strength
Earlier, the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, said the workshop was designed to strengthen the connection between federal character, grassroots governance and national integration.
Omidiran described the gathering as a timely intervention aimed at reinforcing the foundations of unity, fairness, inclusion and peaceful coexistence across Nigeria.
“Our ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversities are not obstacles to nationhood; rather, they are valuable strengths capable of driving national growth when managed with equity, justice and sincerity of purpose,” she said.
The FCC Chairman said Local Governments were uniquely positioned to manage diversity within communities through equitable distribution of opportunities, fair representation, inclusive leadership and meaningful engagement with citizens.
“The future of Nigeria depends greatly on our collective willingness to promote justice above prejudice, unity above division, and national interest above personal or sectional considerations,” Omidiran said.
Defence Minister: Make Local Communities Part of Security Architecture
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd.), OFR, called for a stronger partnership between Local Governments, communities, traditional and religious institutions, security agencies and the private sector to strengthen security at the grassroots.
Speaking on “Strengthening Grassroots Security through Inclusive Local Leadership, Community Partnership and Inter-Agency Collaboration,” Musa said insecurity was experienced most directly at the community level, making local knowledge indispensable to effective prevention and early intervention.
“If we are serious about preventing insecurity rather than simply responding to it after it occurs, then the knowledge and experience of those closest to the people must become an integral part of our security effort,” he said.
The Defence Minister backed the proposal for the establishment of Local Government Security Coordination Committees across the 774 Local Government.
