President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has denied rumours of a disagreement between his administration and state governors over local government autonomy. The president reiterated his commitment to grassroots development and emphasized the critical role of governors in driving Nigeria’s progress.
Speaking on Wednesday during a New Year homage by Vice President Kashim Shettima and members of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) at his residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, Tinubu underscored the importance of collaboration between the federal and state governments.
“There were gossips that we had disagreements on local government autonomy. No. Just drive development at the local government. Nobody wants to take them away from you, but we need collaboration. Let’s do it together and ensure Nigeria is better off for it,” he said.
In a statement issued by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described the governors as the “most important link” to Nigeria’s prosperity and urged them to focus on agricultural productivity and economic stability.
“You are the most important link to Nigeria’s prosperity and development. The Federal Government accounts for about 30 to
35 per cent of the allocated revenue; the rest comes to you. The agricultural value chain depends on you. You own the land, and the job is in your hands,” Tinubu said.
He called on the governors to prioritize agricultural growth as a pathway to economic stability. “We have to work harder, grow more, and ensure the situation of our currency improves. Nigeria will see prosperity, but it requires consistent effort from all of us,” he added.
President Tinubu emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration between the federal and state governments to achieve national development goals. He urged the governors to take pride in the progress they have made, acknowledging significant advancements across various states.
“There is no state we cannot visit and be proud of its development. We have better allocations now. Let me take the abuse; you take the privileges. Together, we will build a nation we are all proud of,” he said.
Tinubu also reflected on his leadership journey, expressing confidence in Nigeria’s potential to thrive under the administration’s reforms. “I am glad I asked for this job, and Nigerians gave me the mandate. We’ll be on this voyage together. I thank all of you for where we are today and where we are heading,” he said.
The president announced plans to visit Enugu State on January 4 as part of his nationwide engagement efforts. Tinubu also welcomed his recognition as Man of the Year by ThisDay newspaper, describing it as an acknowledgment of his administration’s progress.
“I commend ThisDay for recognizing what they considered a failure initially but is now a success,” he said.
Governors Applaud Tinubu’s Leadership
Speaking on behalf of the governors, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Kwara State governor and NGF chairman, praised Tinubu’s policies for their impact on agriculture and economic restructuring.
“The policies are working. In agriculture, I was in Jigawa. The complaint in Jigawa was that there was a bumper harvest, but because of the strength of our currency, traders exported the harvest. So, most of us are encouraging ourselves to buy bumper stocks into our silos and store them for the rainy day,” Abdulrazaq said.
He assured the president of the governors’ steadfast support and highlighted their contributions to enhancing local security architectures.
“I must confess that I have not done two years in this administration, but I’ve done more projects in two years than in the four years of my first term. We are getting more funding due to the restructuring of the economy. Yes, there is inflation, but we are overriding it,” Abdulrazaq added.
