Locals in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed their displeasure with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, claiming he is reducing the amount of money that area councils are able to raise.
Elder statesman and well-known All Progressive Congress (APC) member Danjuma Tanko denounced the minister’s alleged unilateral action as a violation of democratic ideals.
“The idea by the minister to shorten the Area councils’ revenue generation amount to abuse of democratic principles,” he said.
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Tanko highlighted the critical role area councils play in local administration and development projects, emphasising the significance of giving them the authority to properly serve the needs of grassroots people.
“The developmental stride of the minister is concentrated on the urban areas, while the rural areas are left for the council chairman to attend to,” Tanko added.
Tanko voiced his disapproval of the decision and asked the minister to reevaluate it as well as provide more funding to support the regional councils’ efforts.
Tanko stressed, “This single dichotomy and autocratic decision to appoint a minister to oversee the affairs of elected officials is absolutely undemocratic, and therefore, the people of Abuja desire a complete democratic structure, where any Nigerian can contest.”
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