By Oluwabukola Afolayan
The General-Secretary Conference 57 in Lagos State, Rasaq Ajala, yesterday said members of the association cannot afford to miss any of the inauguration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President in Abuja and that of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in Lagos.
Ajala said the body owes the duo a duty of storming the inauguration grounds in a large number.
“We are going to have a powerful delegation to both inauguration centres. We have the number to make our presence felt and that is what we are going to do,” he said.
Ajala, who is the Chairman of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA said Asiwaju Tinubu established the 37 LCDAs when he was Governor of Lagos State.
This, he said, was to ensure even development in every part of the state.
“You will recall how he stood his ground against Olusegun Obasanjo-led federal government resistance against the action. The Federal Government even seized the allocations meant for the local governments in Lagos State because of Asiwaju’s action. Tinubu’s administration went to court to challenge the illegality perpetrated by the then federal government and came out victorious.
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“Any other person could have chicken out at some points, but the former Lagos State Governor ensured he saw the case to a logical conclusion. And what do we have today – other states have emulated Tinubu’s gesture by creating LCDAs,” he said.
Ajala added that the creation of additional local governments was to bring governance closer to the people.
Some states, he said, have copied that idea from Lagos state.
He appealed to Nigerians to be patient with Tinubu once he assumes office, saying that within months, his impact would be felt across the nation.
“Nigeria at this point is lucky to have a man like Asiwaju Tinubu at this stage. He understands what governance is all about and has a blueprint for a speedy development of the country. We have no doubt in our minds that he would perform beyond the expectations of Nigerians,” he said.
He said Governor Sanwo-Olu has done well to improve local government administration in the state.
The governor, he said, builds on the existing harmonious working relationship between the councils and the state government.
“He (Governor Sanwo-Olu) has taken the relationship to another level. He gave us free hands to execute projects and always deferred to us on issues relating to local governments,” he said.