By Abdulrahman Aliagan,
In a renewed call for institutional reforms aimed at deepening governance at the grassroots, the National President of the All Progressives Congress Initiative for Good Governance (APC-IGG), Ambassador Musa Muhammed Tsoken, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the National Assembly to urgently initiate a bill that would guarantee federal government representation across Nigeria’s 774 local government councils.
The proposal, according to Tsoken, is designed to address longstanding concerns surrounding accountability, transparency, and efficiency in the administration of local government affairs. It comes at a time when debates over local government autonomy and fiscal responsibility continue to shape Nigeria’s governance discourse.
At the heart of the APC-IGG’s advocacy is the need for what it describes as “structured federal presence” at the grassroots level. The group believes such a framework would significantly improve monitoring and supervision of local government activities, ensuring that statutory allocations are not only disbursed but also judiciously utilized for the benefit of citizens.
“The absence of effective oversight mechanisms has, over time, weakened governance at the local level,” Tsoken noted. “This bill will serve as a corrective instrument to guarantee that resources meant for the people are transparently and efficiently managed.”
The proposed legislation also seeks to eliminate bureaucratic and political bottlenecks that often impede governance at the local level. By ensuring a seamless interface between federal authorities and local administrations, the APC-IGG argues that governance delivery would become more responsive and impactful.
In his appeal, Tsoken called on key national figures to champion the legislative process, including the President of the Senate, Godswill Obot Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume. He also extended the call to the National Chairman of the ruling party, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, and the President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Alhaji Bello Lawal.
The APC-IGG, a policy advocacy and support group within the All Progressives Congress (APC), has continued to position itself as a think tank committed to strengthening governance structures. With a network of academics and professionals both within Nigeria and in the diaspora, the group focuses on promoting transparency, reinforcing institutional frameworks, and supporting policy initiatives aligned with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Observers note that the group’s latest proposal aligns with broader national conversations on governance reforms, particularly in the wake of increased calls for local government autonomy and fiscal discipline. Analysts argue that while the proposed bill could enhance oversight, it would also require careful structuring to avoid undermining the constitutional independence of local governments.
Nonetheless, proponents insist that federal representation, if properly implemented, could bridge existing governance gaps and restore public confidence in local administration. For many Nigerians at the grassroots, where government presence is most directly felt—or often absent—the success of such a reform could redefine service delivery and democratic accountability.
As the debate unfolds, attention now turns to the National Assembly and the executive arm, whose response will determine whether this proposal evolves into a legislative reality or remains part of ongoing policy advocacy efforts.
For APC-IGG, however, the message is clear: strengthening governance at the grassroots is not just a political necessity, but a national imperative.
