A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Temitope Adewale, has urged Nigerians, particularly councillors, to hold local government chairmen accountable for governance and service delivery.

Mr Adewale, representing Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 01, said this during an interview on Sunday in Lagos.

He noted that a 2024 Supreme Court judgment granted financial autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local governments, increasing their direct access to federal allocations.

The lawmaker expressed concern that Nigerians often blamed the Federal Government for issues better addressed by state and local authorities.

“It is wrong to place all the blame on the president. Governors and council chairmen must complement federal efforts,” he said.

Mr Adewale said local governments had received significantly higher allocations since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.

He praised the administration for implementing local government autonomy, stressing that councils now receive funds directly without state interference.

“The President ensured councils get allocations directly, enabling development from the grassroots.

You will notice governors no longer receive funds on behalf of councils, leading to increased infrastructure and development projects across local governments,” he said.

According to him, development begins at the grassroots. 

He urged councillors to ensure funds were used judiciously by council chairmen.

“Councillors must hold chairmen accountable and ensure public funds are properly spent,” he said.

Mr Adewale also urged councillors to be bold in challenging any cases of fund misappropriation at the local level.

On security, he said responsibility rested on all tiers of government and not solely the President.

“The President has been advocating state and community policing, which can help tackle insecurity effectively at the grassroots,” he said.

He added that the National Assembly should expedite action on legislation to establish state police across the country. 

(NAN)