Why States Governors should work mutually with LG Chairmen, Councillors, by Nwikegwu

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The President, Forum of Local government Councillors in Nigeria, Hon

Evoh Okechukwu Nwikegwu has harped on the need for Governors of the 36 States in the country to always empower the operators of the various councils (Chairmen and Councillors) with a view to enabling them serve their constituents better.

Hon. Nwikegwu, who said this while speaking with the Peoples Daily newspaper in Abuja, reasoned that such would enable both the Local government areas and the States to work mutually as well as perform efficiently and effectively to the benefits of those who elected into their respective offices.

Hon Nwikegwu, who is the Leader of the Ohaozara Legislative Council of Ebonyi State, South East, Nigeria, reiterated the importance of the Local government areas in the country, which is the closest tier of government to the grass roots people.

He specifically lauded the Governor of Ebonyi State, Hon Francis Nwifuru for carrying along the local government areas in the State very well and urged other Governors to emulate him.

According to the President of the forum of Local government Councillors in Nigeria, “They (the councils’ Chairmen and Councillors) are very important because they are the ones supervising the affairs of the local government. Every vote is coming from the ward. And we are the grassroots.

“If you don’t work well with them, you will be messed up, maybe when you need them. They should make sure that they work with their local governments and carry them along in a mutual way”.

Continuing, he said, ‘I want them to emulate our governor (Governor of Ebonyi State), who has been a friend of the grassroots and the local government chairmen. Politics is local. And we are the local people, serving local people. “Even the President, as he is there, he plays the local politics. Even the Ministers, they play local politics. Because during the election, they will go down to the local areas and vote at their wards.

“I want them (Governors) to understand and work hand in hand with their local government Chairmen. They are very important because they are the ones supervising the affairs of the local government.

“Every vote is coming from the ward. And we are the grassroots. If you don’t work well with them, you will be messed up, maybe when you need them. They should make sure that they work with their local government, carry them along very well”, he advised.

Hon. Nwikegwu presides over the forum that is made up of Councillors in all the 8,809 wards in the country.