Gbenga Daniel, former governor of Ogun state has acknowledged that the Local Government administration in Nigeria was comatose.
According to Daniel, the poor status of the councils had put pressure on state governors, who, according to him, are “sweating and trying to satisfy the people”.
This was made known on Wednesday by the former governor in Abeokuta during the South-West Conference of the Association of Ex-Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria.
He rued the neglect of the councils, saying until the third tier of government is activated, dividends of democracy might not get to the people.
He added that “until we return to the days of old when local governments are empowered financially and otherwise, we would not be able to spread the dividends of democracy.”
He described ASELGON as a major stakeholder that must continue to mount pressure on the President and governors to ensure the LG regains its autonomy.
He said, “Part of the tragedy we have in recent times in our country is that we are not taking LG administration as seriously as we should take it.
“Now and then, I see quite a number of our brothers who are governors sweating, trying to do their best to make sure they satisfy the people.
“But the fact of the matter is that however they try, they cannot, they do not have the time and the capacity to reach the local government.
“So, until we return to the days of old when local governments are empowered financially and otherwise, we would not be able to spread the dividends of democracy.”
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