A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ayoola Lawal, on Sunday, charged Nigerians to reduce their expectation for the provision of social infrastructure and welfare from President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He said Nigerians should instead demand accountability for funds released to their states and local councils for social infrastructure at the grassroots level in the appropriate quarters.

“Nigerians should be asking about what happens to the federal government’s budgetary allocations to states and to local councils.

“Until Nigerians start asking questions and making demands at the appropriate leadership quarters, not much will be achieved,’’ Mr Lawal, a former chairman of the APC in Scandinavian countries, told journalists.

Mr Lawal also noted that while the blame for nonperformance was misdirected at the federal government, governors, lawmakers, and local government chairs were smiling to their banks with funds meant for social infrastructure.

“There is nothing wrong with Nigerians making demands of the federal government about certain challenges confronting the nation.

“It is wrong, however, to blame the president for the inability or refusal by states and councils to perform their constitutional roles.

“For instance, states and local councils should be responsible for state and council roads, health centres, sanitation, agriculture, and water supply, among others and not the federal government,’’ he said.

Mr Lawal also stressed the need for civil society organisations and non-governmental organisations to begin advocacy on demands from states and councils.

The APC chieftain said there was a need for massive reorientation nationwide to ensure that the people knew who to hold accountable on what issue.

“The federal government must ensure enforcement of financial autonomy for councils and increase citizens’ enlightenment to properly engage states and local government leaderships nationwide,’’ he said.

Mr Lawal also advocated autonomy and empowerment of local authorities so they could discharge their critical roles in national development.

“The autonomy includes their ability to tailor policies and initiatives to address their peculiar needs and to foster innovation and responsiveness,’’ he said.

Mr Lawal is the immediate past secretary of the APC Diaspora Chairmen’s Forum. 

(NAN)