President Bola Tinubu has charged local government chairmen across the country to promote fairness, equity and inclusiveness in appointments, administration and the distribution of opportunities and resources at the grassroots.
The President gave the charge on Monday in Abuja in a keynote address delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, at a workshop organised by the Federal Character Commission (FCC) for local government chairmen.
The workshop, themed “Translating Federal Character Principles into Local Governance: Bridging Policy and Practice,” seeks to strengthen the implementation of the Federal Character principle at the grassroots level.
Tinubu said Nigeria’s diversity remained one of the country’s greatest assets, stressing that its effective management required fairness, justice and inclusiveness.
“Our multiplicity of cultures, ethnicities, and beliefs forms a vibrant national tapestry that must be carefully managed through fairness, justice, and inclusiveness,” he said.
He noted that the Federal Character principle, as enshrined in Section 14(4) of the 1999 Constitution, provides both an institutional and moral framework for ensuring that the diversity of Nigerians is reflected in governance.
“This constitutional provision underscores the necessity of reflecting the diversity of our people in the composition and conduct of government at all levels, particularly at the state and local government tiers,” the President said.
According to him, adherence to the principle is essential to fostering a sense of belonging and loyalty among Nigerians, which he described as critical to the stability, unity and progress of the nation.
Tinubu described local government councils as a strategic component of Nigeria’s governance architecture because of their proximity to the people.
“As the closest tier of government to the people, they serve as the primary interface between citizens and the state. The actions and decisions taken at this level have immediate and tangible impacts on the daily lives of our people,” he said.
He therefore urged the council chairmen to make inclusiveness, representation and equity the defining principles of governance at the grassroots.
“You, as Local Government Chairmen, carry the immense responsibility of ensuring that governance is inclusive, representative, and equitable. You must embody the principles of fairness in appointments, transparency in administration, and balance in the distribution of opportunities and resources,” Tinubu said.
The President said such an approach would enhance public confidence in government, strengthen social cohesion and reinforce national unity.
He commended the Federal Character Commission for recognising local government as a critical tier in the implementation of Federal Character principles, but cautioned that laws and institutions alone could not guarantee the desired outcomes without visionary leadership, ethical conduct and deliberate commitment.
“You must rise above sectional interests and embrace a broader national perspective that prioritises unity over division and inclusiveness over exclusion,” he told the chairmen.
Tinubu further linked inclusive governance and equitable representation to national development, saying they could help reduce conflicts and create an enabling environment for economic growth and innovation.
“When every segment of society feels represented and valued, social cohesion is strengthened, conflicts are minimised, and the environment becomes conducive for economic growth and innovation,” he said.
The President described the workshop as more than an administrative exercise, saying it offered the participants an opportunity to deepen their understanding of Federal Character principles and develop practical strategies for integrating them into local governance.
He urged the participants to engage fully with the sessions and commit themselves to the ideals of fairness, equity and national integration.
“The future of our democracy depends significantly on the strength, fairness, and inclusiveness of our local institutions,” Tinubu said.
The President formally declared the workshop open and commended the Federal Character Commission for its “unwavering dedication to promoting national integration.”
