The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has challenged elected local government Chairmen across the country to take the lead in reducing multidimensional poverty, saying they hold the key to improving access to basic services in their communities.
Addressing members of the newly formed Progressive Local Government Chairmen Forum in Abuja, Yilwatda said the fight against poverty begins at the grassroots, where local councils are responsible for providing access to water, healthcare, sanitation and education.
“People like you should be discussing poverty because every day we talk about multidimensional poverty. It is about access—access to water, health, education and sanitation. You hold the key,” he said.
Yilwatda said local government chairmen are best positioned to deliver services that directly improve the lives of citizens.
“If they say there is multidimensional poverty in your local government, you are responsible because you provide access to education, water, sanitation and healthcare. Make it measurable and reduce poverty in your communities,” he said.
He also commended President Bola Tinubu for granting greater fiscal autonomy to local governments, saying the policy has enabled councils to embark on projects that directly impact the people.
According to him, many local governments are already constructing schools, bridges, hospitals and clinics, urging chairmen to maximise the opportunity by delivering more democratic dividends to their constituents.
The National Chairman of the Progressive Local Government Chairmen Forum, Dr. Mustafa Muhammad Jibril, said the body was established to mobilise grassroots support for the policies and programmes of President Tinubu and to drive his re-election campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Jibril said the forum brings together 685 APC local government chairmen across the country and would leverage its grassroots structures and community trust to deepen support for the ruling party.
“We are the closest to the grassroots. We have the structures, the community trust and the grassroots intelligence. That is why we have come together to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
He disclosed that the forum plans to mobilise APC council chairmen and councillors nationwide for an endorsement rally for President Tinubu.
Also speaking, the forum’s Deputy National Chairman (South) said local government chairmen have become major beneficiaries of Tinubu’s reforms, particularly the increased financial autonomy granted to councils.
He said the chairmen were determined to spearhead grassroots mobilisation for the President’s second-term bid and urged the APC national leadership to formally adopt the forum to strengthen collaboration with governors and party structures.
“We are ready to mobilise all 685 council chairmen, councillors and supervisors across the country. This platform will strengthen the party and help secure President Tinubu’s re-election,” he said.
, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has challenged elected local government chairmen across the country to take the lead in reducing multidimensional poverty, declaring that they hold the key to improving access to basic services in their communities.){kind=link}