Rights groups back Buhari on financial autonomy for local councils

A coalition of civil society groups under the aegis of Guardians of Democracy and Development (GDD) yesterday threw their weight behind ongoing quest by President Buhari to ensure financial autonomy for the 774 local councils in the country.

GDD’s National Convener, Solomon Adodo who addressed reporters in Abuja remarked that the initiative would surely curb theft of public funds and rural-urban migration of able-bodied unemployed youths in search of jobs.

Condemning what it termed surreptitious attacks on the person of the President, the group maintained that the development clearly underlined the fact that President Buhari is not one to be subjected to the unwieldy control of any external forces. They however contended that as a true democrat, there was nothing wrong if Buhari chooses to consult with patriots of like mind in the mould of Abba Kyari, Mamman Daura and Ismaila Isa Funtua to propagate national development.

The group thereby urged the Coalition of APC National Stakeholders and their ilk behind the campaign of calumny against the President to retrace their steps in the interest of Nigerians.

The group comprises Danesi Momoh Convener APC Youth Solidarity Network, Suleiman Musa, Executive Director Independent Public Service Watch, Amarachi Okeke, Executive Director, Transparency and Accountability Initiative, Splendour Agbonkpolor Executive Director, Initiative for Leadership and Economic Watch in Nigeria and Stephen Eriba, National Secretary Concerned Democrats for Equitable Representation.