The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on the local government area system in Nigeria to protect it.

ALGON said the president could do so by fighting all injustices, constitutional impunity and all manner of executive interference in the affairs of local government areas in Nigeria.

The association stated this in its message to Nigerians on the historic event of June 12, marking the nation’s Democracy Day celebration.

“The 2023 Democracy Day will allow ALGON to appeal to the president and upcoming members of the 10th National Assembly, State Governors and the State Assemblies to help in rescuing the ailing local government system in Nigeria,” the association said.

Kolade Alabi, national president of ALGON, urged security agencies and state governors to ensure the safety and security of the lives of vulnerable rural dwellers.

He noted that the significance of June 12 is profound as it represented the weight of Nigeria’s democratic history.

The ALGON president said he observed that posterity had always been kind for the long-fought and worn battle for reform and freedom that was people-centred about the local government areas.

“In fact, now more than ever, our democracy should fulfil the hope and age-long promises in the civic space.

“The civic space, 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,” said Mr Alabi.

According to him, this can be done by focusing on the importance of the councils’ freedom through the devolution of powers to enable the system to function effectively as contemplated in the constitution.

“The grassroots farmers are always at the mercy of bandits, hoodlums and other potential existential economic challenges.”

He added that there was a need to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy and ensure free, independent and functional local councils that would provide access to basic needs of the masses.

Mr Tinubu, in his Democracy Day national broadcast, said that though subsidy removal would impose an extra burden on the masses, it must be borne to save the country.

(NAN)