ALGON President Calls for Stronger Local Governance with Focus on Accountability and Transparency
The National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Bello Lawal, has emphasized the critical need to strengthen local governance by supporting chairmen with constructive feedback and ensuring a clear separation of powers within local councils to foster greater accountability and transparency.
In his New Year message, delivered in Taraba State on Thursday, Lawal called for national unity and progress while pushing for more robust democratic practices across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas. He stressed that providing local government chairmen with actionable feedback and institutionalizing the separation of powers are key to ensuring transparency in governance.
Lawal reiterated his dedication to improving service delivery, governance, and accountability at the grassroots level, alongside the National Executive Council (NEC), Board of Trustees (BOT), and ALGON’s management and staff. This commitment will continue to guide their efforts for democratic enhancement in the years ahead.
Looking back at the achievements of 2024, Lawal praised the Supreme Court’s decisive ruling and the successful local government elections held across more than 15 states. He hailed these milestones as vital steps toward reinforcing constitutional governance and democracy at the local level. The year was also marked by two smooth leadership transitions, further affirming ALGON’s commitment to democratic principles.
Lawal highlighted ALGON’s increasing visibility on the national stage, citing collaborations with high-level national organizations and international partners as crucial for promoting the association’s goals.
Speaking about ALGON’s leadership transitions, Lawal commended the adherence to constitutional guidelines that enabled these changes to take place without disruption.
Looking ahead to 2025, Lawal outlined a strategic roadmap aimed at motivating local government chairmen to embrace best practices, foster selfless service to their communities, and improve administrative effectiveness. He emphasized the importance of peer reviews in nurturing this culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
As the country looks toward a new year, Lawal called on Nigerians to stay united and committed to supporting local governments, strengthening democratic values, and contributing to the upliftment of rural communities. He underscored the vital role of collective effort in achieving national development goals for the year ahead.
“In 2025, our priorities will include mobilizing local government chairmen to adopt best practices, promote selfless service to their constituents, and enhance governance through peer reviews,” Lawal concluded.
