June 12: Democracy must be button-up, ALGON tasks President Tinubu, thanks Nigerians and calls for holistic constitutional reform of the LGAs

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The National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigerian (ALGON) Hon. Kolade David Alabi has congratulated Nigerians and Democratic Leaders on the historic event of June 12, marking its Democracy Day celebration.

He said that “just like the significance of June 12 is profound by representing the weight of Nigeria’s democratic history, it is obvious that the political will by Mr. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR if demonstrated will facilitate the entrenchment of a virile LG system which will again go down in history as he did to the Councils in Lagos state during his regime as Governor.

Hon. Alabi observed that posterity has always been kind for this long-fought and worn battle for reform and freedom that is people-centred.

While it has been unequivocally acknowledged that the decision to recognize and remedy the injustices of the annulment of the 1993 election by designating June 12 as Democracy Day was a great political desideratum, it will also be fair and just to appeal for urgent rescuing of the grassroots government in Nigeria as provided by the Constitution (7-1) to complement the efforts to our national rebirth; because power must be local and grassroots oriented for everything good to flourish with the desired speed.

ALGON used the celebration to remind the Federal and State governments that Nigerian’s democratic balance through its Tier’s constantly under severe strain without strong democratically elected Local Government Chairmen and Counsellors in place in the country, which is the only government t that is closer to the people.

He said that “in fact, now more than ever, our Democracy should fulfil the hope and age-long promises in the civic space which for now is shrinking with distrust, disgrace and abuse of the system by flagrant removal of duly elected Chairmen without recourse to their legal and constitutional protection.”

Also according to him, “This year, Democracy Day will allow ALGON to appeal to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the upcoming members of the 10th National Assembly, the State Governors and the State Assembly to help in rescuing the ailing Local Governments and Councils in Nigeria by focussing on the importance of its freedom through devolution of power to enable the system function effectively as contemplated in the Constitution”. He further appeals for the declaration of a state of emergency on LGAs and Councils to protect it by, fighting all injustices, constitutional impunity and all manner of Executive interference in its affairs.

He prayed to security agencies and state Governors for ensuring the safety and security of the lives of the vulnerable rural dwellers who are always at the mercy of bandits, hoodlums and other potential existential challenges like galloping inflation, the high cost of basic dual-purpose Kerosene (DPK) for cooking, food items, high cost of drugs, food items and so on. He harps on the need for cushioning the effect of the removal of fuel subsidies and ensuring free, independent and functional local councils that will provide access to basic needs to millions of homes in Nigeria.

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