Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe has said that his stance has shown he is not opposed to the idea of local government autonomy across the country.

Mr Buni disclosed this after casting his vote in the local government election at his polling unit in Buni Gari on Saturday.

He said that his administration’s collaborative approach to local government councils was aimed at complementing their efforts.

“In 2019, I envisioned granting autonomy to local government councils but unfortunately, six out of 17 LGs struggled to pay salaries.

“Our joint local government account initiative aims to support the LGs and work together with the state government,” he explained.

The governor also expressed optimism about the future of local government autonomy in Nigeria.

“Our democracy is growing and this issue will be addressed seamlessly and democratically without hitches,” Mr Buni said.

The governor commended the impressive turnout of voters at the local government election.

“That is the beauty of democracy—giving people the right to cast their votes—and that is what we have just witnessed,” he said.

(NAN)