President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged local government chairmen across the country to uphold fairness, equity and inclusiveness in appointments, administration and distribution of resources.
Tinubu gave the charge on Monday in Abuja in a keynote address delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, at a workshop organised by the Federal Character Commission (FCC) for local government chairmen.
The workshop, themed, “Translating Federal Character Principles into Local Governance: Bridging Policy and Practice,” focused on strengthening the implementation of the Federal Character principle at the grassroots.
The President described Nigeria’s diversity as one of the country’s greatest assets, stressing that its effective management required 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,” he said.
Tinubu noted that the Federal Character principle, as enshrined in Section 14(4) of the 1999 Constitution, provides an institutional and moral framework for reflecting the diversity of Nigerians in government.
He said the constitutional provision underscored the need to reflect the diversity of the Nigerian people in the composition and conduct of government at all levels, particularly at the state and local government tiers.
According to him, the principle is fundamental to promoting a sense of belonging and loyalty among Nigerians, which are critical to the stability, unity and progress of the country.
The President described local government councils as occupying a strategic position in Nigeria’s governance architecture because they constitute the closest tier of government to the people.
“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,” Tinubu said.
He therefore urged council chairmen to ensure that governance at the grassroots remained inclusive, representative and equitable.
“You, as Local Government Chairmen, carry the immense responsibility of ensuring that governance is inclusive, representative, and equitable. You must embody the principles of fairness in appointments, transparency in administration, and balance in the distribution of opportunities and resources,” he said.
Tinubu said adherence to these principles would strengthen public confidence in government and reinforce national unity.
He commended the Federal Character Commission for recognising the third tier of government as a vital component in the realisation of Federal Character principles.
The President, however, cautioned that laws and institutions alone could not achieve the desired outcomes 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.
Tinubu further linked inclusive governance with national development, noting that representation and fairness could strengthen social cohesion and create an environment 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,” he said.
He described the workshop as more than an administrative exercise, saying it provided an opportunity for local government chairmen to deepen their understanding of Federal Character principles and develop practical strategies for embedding them in grassroots governance.
The President urged the participants to actively engage in the workshop and commit themselves to the ideals being promoted.
“The future of our democracy depends significantly on the strength, fairness, and inclusiveness of our local institutions,” he said.
Tinubu formally declared the workshop open and commended the Federal Character Commission for its unwavering dedication to promoting national integration.
