DEMOCRACY DAY: Tinubu blames local govt collapse for Nigeria’s insecurity, pledges financial autonomy
President Bola Tinubu has linked Nigeria’s stubborn security challenges directly to the collapse of governance at the grassroots level.
In a nationwide broadcast marking the 2026 Democracy Day on Friday, the President asserted that the long-standing inefficiency within the country’s 774 local government areas (LGAs) remains a massive roadblock to national development and safety.
To fix this structural loophole, President Tinubu revealed that the Federal Government is aggressively pushing for full financial autonomy for all local councils across the federation.
‘Grassroots governance has collapsed’
Addressing the nation on Friday, Tinubu emphasized that democracy loses its meaning when its impact fails to reach ordinary citizens at the local level.
“Recognising that democracy is undermined when people do not feel its impact, my administration has sought financial autonomy for our 774 local councils,” the President said. “A fundamental challenge to our nation’s advancement has been ineffective local government administration.”
READ ALSO: DEMOCRACY DAY 2026: President Tinubu’s full address
“The insecurity we are addressing is partly due to the collapse of grassroots governance. The Renewed Hope Agenda is about ensuring that all Nigerians benefit from governance.”
Chibok, Oyo abductions cast shadow on Democracy Day
The President admitted that the celebratory mood of Democracy Day was heavily dampened by the ongoing captivity of citizens, particularly students and teachers recently abducted in Oyo and Borno states.
Expressing deep concern over the development, Tinubu assured Nigerians that his administration is treated the situation with the utmost urgency.
Mass recruitment, N5.41trn security budget unveiled
As part of an aggressive strategy to reclaim ungoverned spaces, the President announced a declared security emergency alongside a massive boost to the nation’s security architecture.
According to Tinubu, the Federal Government has approved the recruitment of over 50,000 new police personnel, alongside thousands of military recruits, to beef up boots on the ground.
Furthermore, the administration is backing its strategy with unprecedented financial muscle.
“Our 2026 budget commits ₦5.41 trillion—our largest ever—to defence and security. Our administration is ever ready to do much more to secure our people,” Tinubu concluded.
