The Chairperson of the Akala Transformation Movement (ATM) and former First Lady of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Oluwakemi Alao-Akala, has called for the total implementation of local government autonomy to bring governance closer to Nigerians and accelerate grassroots development.
Alao-Akala made this known during the ATM outreach at Equilibrium Resorts, Ojongbodu, Oyo West Local Government Area of Oyo State.
She urged Nigerians, particularly women, to support the administration of President Bola Tinubu and participate actively in the democratic process.
She said the effective functioning of local government administration remained crucial because it was the closest tier of government directly linked to people at the grassroots.
“One important thing I am preaching is local government autonomy. Obviously, we are going to have our local government leaders properly elected. They are going to be funded, and they are the closest to the people,” she said.
The former First Lady urged Nigerians to understand and assess the impact of government policies before making political decisions, stressing that the coming years should be devoted to consolidating ongoing reforms and ensuring that their benefits reach ordinary citizens.
She enjoined women to remain actively involved in governance and continue supporting leaders through their votes and prayers.
According to her, “Voting remains a major responsibility of citizens because it determines the quality and direction of leadership at all levels.”
Alao-Akala further urged ATM members and supporters to work for the success of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and support its candidates in state and national elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
She stressed that the ATM was a movement and not a political party, adding that its activities were aimed at mobilising support for the APC and its candidates.
Also, the Director-General of ATM, Mr Demola Alao-Akala, said the movement would continue to preserve and promote the legacy of his late father, former Oyo State Governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala.
He said the essence of the movement was not merely to remember the late governor but to sustain the values and principles he stood for, particularly people-oriented governance and the welfare of ordinary citizens.
“The concept of remembrance of our father is about making sure that his legacy survives. When he left, he left us a pattern, and we strongly believe that the legacy he left behind can be used to propagate his ideas and keep his memory alive,” he said.
The ATM DG said members of the movement were determined to build on the ideals of service and good governance associated with the late governor.
“We believe strongly that if we are alive, we are going to go back to our lives and continue in the spirit that he showed. We are moving forward, and I think we are supposed to continue,” he added.
Alao-Akala said the late governor’s political philosophy placed the welfare of the people at the centre of governance, noting that democracy should ultimately be judged by its positive impact on citizens.
He assured ATM members that the movement would remain committed to promoting the late governor’s ideals while mobilising support for programmes and candidates it believes can improve the lives of Nigerians.