ABUJA – The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Monday urged delegates at the National Conference to grant autonomy to local governments in the country.
Mr Anayo Arinze, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Arinze said the autonomy would bring governance closer to the people.
According to him, the local government administration is the masses oriented-tier of government that should be strengthened and not scrapped.
“Everybody cannot come to the federal capital to air their views, so they should be able to do that through their chairmen or councilors at the local government.
“What government should do is to give them autonomy, and National Conference should ensure that it achieved that,” he said.
Arinze criticised the existing local government system of administration in the country, saying “control of local governments by the state governments does not allow grassroots people to convey their needs to the federal government”.
He also said local governments should be responsible for providing infrastructure and other amenities at the grassroots, saying they know where they are most needed.
The party chieftain urged politicians to be cautious in their statements, especially as election approached.
“Politicians are not expected to be making inflammatory statements in a bid to express commitment to party’s success in an election.
He commended INEC for organising workshops for party leaders in the country ahead of the 2015 general elections.
This, according to him, will help politicians to avoid over heating the polity in an effort to sell their parties and candidates to the electorate. (NAN)