The National President of the National Councillors Forum of Nigeria (NCFN), Evoh Okechukwu Nwikegwu, has urged councillors across the country to reclaim their relevance in local governance and shun divisive tendencies ahead of the 2027 elections. Nwikegwu made the call on Monday at the forum’s National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, saying councillors had long been relegated to the background despite their strategic role as the tier of government closest to the people. He said the period ahead of the 2027 elections presented an opportunity for councillors to reassert their importance in governance and the political process. According to him, councillors must remain united, focused and strategic in making their voices heard and ensuring their impact is felt at the grassroots. He reminded members that political power came with responsibility, adding that residents would judge them by what they delivered in their wards rather than their titles. Nwikegwu also urged councillors to mobilise grassroots support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid, citing what he described as gains recorded by local governments under the administration. He particularly mentioned the 2024 Supreme Court judgment on local government financial autonomy, which directed that allocations to the 774 local government areas be paid directly from the Federation Account to council coffers. He described the development as a “fiscal liberation” and urged councillors to help publicise government programmes at the grassroots. Nwikegwu also cited ongoing road projects and the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme as programmes councillors should key into. He announced plans to establish committees to strengthen collaboration with government agencies and ensure that the administration’s programmes have visible impact in local communities. The NCFN president warned against parallel leadership structures in the forum, saying such distractions could undermine its unity and effectiveness. He urged members to prioritise peace, transparency, accountability and the collective interest of the forum.
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