NCFN President Urges Councillors to Reclaim Relevance

Evoh Okechukwu Nwikegwu, the National President of the National Councillors Forum of Nigeria (NCFN), called on councillors nationwide to reclaim their relevance in local governance during the forum’s National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja on Monday. He stated that councillors have been sidelined despite their crucial role as the tier of government closest to the people.

Nwikegwu emphasized that the upcoming 2027 elections present a vital opportunity for councillors to reassert their importance in governance. He urged them to remain united and strategic in their efforts to make their voices heard at the grassroots level.

He also encouraged councillors to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election campaign, citing achievements under his administration, including the 2024 Supreme Court ruling on local government financial autonomy. This ruling mandates that allocations to local governments be paid directly from the Federation Account.

Nwikegwu announced plans to form committees to enhance collaboration with government agencies and warned against parallel leadership structures within the forum.