Why LGs must be autonomous – Gbenga Daniel

A former Governor of Ogun State and the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, has said unless there is local government autonomy there will not be any meaningful development at the grassroots in Nigeria.

Daniel said this when he took his campaign tour to Atan, headquarters of Ijebu North LGA, where he also empowered hundreds of villagers with sewing machines, grinding machines, cars, tractors, among other items, at the weekend.

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He said if the LGAs enjoyed autonomy it would drive infrastructural growth, boost socio- economic activities, and by extension improve the lives of the people in the rural areas.

If elected as senator, Daniel vowed to push for the autonomy of local governments to enhance their capacity to deliver quality and effective governance at the grassroots.

He said, “In the last week we have been in this local government, we have toured all the nooks and crannies of this local government, we know what is happening here, we understand the condition of the roads, which is a big challenge, and I want to assure you we will let the powers know, and I am sure that something will be done very soon.

“The work of a senator is different from that of a governor. We want to go to Abuja and make laws, but senators and governors and presidents must work together. So I want to plead that this election, it’s not about OGD alone, but all APC candidates.

“Part of the problem we have in many states today is the issue of local government autonomy, and part of what we want to go and fight is that local government resources should be given to the local governments. Without the local government being properly empowered and funded, nothing can happen.”