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Hon. Alabi Kolade David was the leader of the Local Government Directorate in the APC Presidential Campaign 2023, a 100% political platform at the center of the party’s efforts to mobilize grassroots support for the President’s electoral victory. The implementation of his Renewed Hope Agenda is a key focus, with policies mainstreaming through a critical dive into the accrued benefits to the local governments, the people, and party supporters. In this special Democracy Day post-mortem interview, Hon. Alabi shares his insights on the party’s progress and the gains made under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, 2 years down the line, highlighting the Directorate’s achievements, challenges, and plans in the build-up to Mr. President’s constitutional second term. As the leader of the Local Government Directorate, a unifier and bastion of community engagement in the APC, he played a pivotal role in mobilizing grassroots support and implementing policies that benefit local government stakeholders. With his extensive experience as a two-term National President of ALGON and Chairman of Bariga Local Council Development Area, he has developed a cult-like followership traversing the country with a deep understanding of matters of networking. Additionally, as an Exco member of the high-profile United Cities for Africa (UCLG-A), he leverages its bourgeoning influence and acuity to promote the APC’s Renewed Hope ideology beyond Nigeria’s borders, as Obiora Orji reports.

The excerpts:

We appreciate your time to share your insights with us today. As the former leader of the Local Government Directorate in the 2023 APC Presidential Campaign Council, your office then is strategic and before we go down to questions about how your successes are managed with the trust and confidence reposed in your landmark mobilization during the campaign where the then running mate now the Vice President, Senator Kassim Shettima said that the power of every electoral victory resides with the people at the local governments and pointed out how overwhelmed he was seeing over 5000 supporters in and outside the International Conference Center Abuja, in the build up to the build up to the 2023 Presidential election, what can you say despite all the gains that have been the most significant challenges you have faced in the past two years?

Ah, my dear Obiora, I would first of all thank God for the victory at the poll and the Grace to successfully make our mark. I can further say that one of the biggest challenges we have faced was ensuring that our policies and programmes align with the needs and expectations of local government people under the Renewed Hope document, so we did not hesitate to mobilize them for their buy-in. It is not always easy, but we worked tirelessly to engage with grassroots people despite our diversity and heterogeneous languages to communicate our action plan to all stakeholders to everyone and, more so, we tried to understand their passion for the Renewed Hope and their concerns.

That’s understandable. What do you think were instrumental to the key to the Directorate’s success so far?

I believe it’s been our commitment to grassroots mobilization and community engagement. We’ve worked closely with local government officials and residents to understand their needs and develop policies that address them. Our team was diligent in ensuring that our message reached every corner of the country.

Looking ahead, what are your expectations for the Directorate in the next two years before the next general elections?

We’re excited about the opportunities ahead. Constitutionally, every regime has a shelf life, and for the presidency, looking and reviewing the midterm is paramount, already as you are aware, it has been an impressive excursion as it were. As a party stakeholder and a grassroots strategist, our plans to continue the work of mobilizing grassroots support and implementing policies that benefit local government people and their stakeholders are not in doubt.

The campaign is far and away up to one year-plus; you do not count eggs before they are hatched, but I can only assure you that the party is working, and until we come to the bridge, we will cross it. For now, the party is building consensus and capacity; the Directorate is closed for now until next cycle. I am happy that many Nigerians, including those in the opposition party, and the people are seeing tangible testaments and getting excitedly Renewed in their Hope for a better Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s scorecard.

The party has a structure that is people-oriented, and both mobilization, training for local government officials to enhance their skills and knowledge in whatever challenges might be envisioned is not out of the plan to consolidate the party’s integrity for more growth.

What message would you like to share with our readers on this Democracy Day?

I would like to say that democracy is a continuous process, and we must always strive to improve and strengthen our institutions. As we celebrate Democracy Day, it is important that we appreciate and support the community engagement strategy as we in Lagos adopt it and as a model which many LGAs across the country are emulating. Grassroots mobilization is a critical aspect of both election victory and governance, with policy implementation that benefits all Nigerians. We are committed to supporting it in all ramifications in delivering on the Renewed Hope agenda, and we are excited about the future. Don’t forget that one good turn deserves another. 2027 promises a strong and overwhelming audit of accomplishments.

That’s great insight, Honorable. The Renewed Hope Agenda’s development initiatives share similarities with countries that have implemented successful economic reforms, infrastructure development, and social welfare programmes. Countries like South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, and Rwanda have shown promising results in these areas. What are your thoughts on how Nigeria can learn from these countries’ experiences?

Ah, that’s a great question, Obiora. I believe Nigeria can learn a lot from these countries’ experiences for instance, Morocco’s decentralization efforts, have been quite successful in empowering local governments and promoting grassroots development, I keep saying ‘bottom up approach’ the Moroccan example present a compelling story that ailing with the Renewed ‘Hope Agenda’ the decentralized policy devolving Power and promoting rural development and the gains are huge in terms economic growth, the GDP, job creation, welfare, infrastructural development, and lost More, In personally have commended the document and I am seeing the implications just like in Rwanda, Egypt and other developing African countries.

The Supreme Court judgment granting autonomy to local government believing a seamless process been believed to be entrenched soon. The committee that was set up to oversee the implementation and ensure that all necessary steps are taken to guarantee the autonomy of local governments is making
Obiora: That’s interesting. Can you tell us more about the committee and its plans for sustainability?

Yes, certainly. The committee is working on developing a comprehensive plan to ensure the sustainability of local government autonomy. As the former National President of ALGON and a current Exco member, we are looking at various aspects, including financial management, capacity building, and institutional strengthening. We want to live up to the expectations of the people to ensure that local governments are equipped to manage their affairs effectively and efficiently, to stimulate the desired development.

For instance, also in my Local Council, Bariga where I am the Executive Chairman and the Conference 57 Chairman here in Lagos, efforts are continuously made to leverage the best practices to deliver services to the 57 Councils and by extension, as a model, even the autonomy can inherently operationalize when fully achieved.

How do you think the constitutional amendment bills recently passed by the House of Representatives will impact local government autonomy?

Ah, I am personally appreciative; it is a step in the right direction. The bills aimed at granting more autonomy to local governments and ensuring the credibility of local government elections are particularly noteworthy. If passed into law, they will further strengthen the autonomy of local governments and promote grassroots development. It has been a long-proposed item in the amendment, and there is a silver lining in the horizon.

Hon. Alabi Kolade David, what advice would you give to your constituents at the grassroots level who are struggling with hunger and economic difficulties, and may be losing trust in the policy direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration?

My dear, very respected Nigerians, we have always been together as local government people in the grassroots. We have traversed the country and have regular feedback. I understand your struggles and concerns. I want to assure you that President Tinubu’s administration is committed to addressing the country’s challenges, including the Local Government people whom I represent.

The Renewed Hope Agenda is a comprehensive plan to promote economic growth, improve living standards, and provide opportunities for all Nigerians. This is the midterm, Mr. President is focused on his policy despite the distractions by the opposition promoting the next election, while we are just in the midterm. I urge everyone to trust in the President’s vision and give his administration more time to deliver on its promises.

But don’t you think the economic difficulties are getting more challenging? How do you respond to critics who say that the administration’s policies are not working?

I know that many families are struggling, and I empathize with their pain. However, I believe that the President’s administration is working hard to address the challenges. The economic reforms, infrastructure development, and social welfare programmes are all designed to promote economic growth and improve living standards. I urge patience and support as we work towards a brighter future for all Nigerians.

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