Democracy Day: National Consensus Favors Local government Autonomy – Hakeem Lawal
June 12 is not all about the pump and celebration, but also a day we should use to reflect on our journey as a democratic Nation, and call for improvements where necessary.
There are pertinent questions we must continue to ask ourselves, as regards citizens freedom and human rights, accountability and transparency, and how governance is itself dished to the populace.
It is heart-warming that conversations about autonomy for the third tier of government are at its peak, and the national consensus of the people is in favour of making our local governments autonomous.
I urge all tiers of the federal government and state governments to work together to guarantee the wish of the vast majority of Nigerians. This way, democracy will further be entrenched and governance will be more accessible to those at the grassroots.
Happy Democracy day, Nigerians.
Hakeem Oladimeji Lawal,
Chairman; Awliya Foundation.