Governance at the grassroots: Plateau council chairmen reflect on first year in office

When local government chairmen across Plateau State were elected and sworn in October, 2024, the expectations were high. Citizens from the grassroots hoped their most immediate tier of government would bring practical, visible change—be it in roads, healthcare, education, or security.

Now, one year into their tenures, the 17 council chairmen embarked on a state-wide peer review tour to assess the progress made, share best practices, and identify areas that need urgent attention.

Led by Hamisu Anane, chairman of the Plateau State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), who also chairs Wase Local Government Area, the tour spanned all 17 LGAs in a tightly packed three-day schedule.

The initiative, Anane explained, was aimed at reviewing governance mandates, fostering cooperation, and galvanizing grassroots support ahead of the 2027 general elections.

More importantly, the tour provided an opportunity for council chairmen to exchange ideas, examine each other’s developmental strides, and understand the challenges faced in different geopolitical zones within the state.

But it’s not all success stories. Hamisu Anane, ALGON chairman, used the platform to call on his colleagues to pressure contractors to hasten the completion of ongoing projects.

In Jos South LGA, the narrative centered on the reconstruction of a previously deadly bridge. Silas Dung, the council chairman, ensured the completion of the project, which residents say has now saved lives during the rainy season. For many, such small but impactful infrastructure efforts speak volumes about leadership that listens.

Langtang North LGA showcased a different kind of innovation. Prifa Tyem, the council chairman established a local radio station to improve communication and civic engagement. In a rural setting where access to information is limited, this project has already started bridging the communication gap between government and the governed.

One area where local government chairmen are battling persistently is security. In Bokkos LGA, Samuel Amalau shared sobering details about the financial strain of supporting security agencies. “We are spending a huge amount on fuelling vehicles and buying tyres monthly from our limited earnings,” he revealed, emphasizing the challenge of maintaining peace in a volatile region.

Despite financial constraints, Amalau’s administration has constructed and equipped a functional cottage hospital—proof that even in hardship, leadership can find ways to prioritise health care.

In neighbouring Barkin Ladi LGA, Stephen Pwajok spoke of curbing incessant attacks and restoring peace. His administration is also building a 40-bed cottage hospital to serve both Barkin Ladi and Jos South LGAs. According to him, the contractor has promised to complete the project soon.

While insecurity remains a constant threat, food security has not been overlooked. In Mikang LGA, Bernard Alkali revealed his council’s effort in securing 37 trucks of fertilizer for farmers. With the Plateau State Government’s support, the figure rose to 50, aimed at ensuring a bumper harvest in the year.

During the inspection, Alkali emphasised that the fertilizer distribution was subsidised, reflecting a conscious attempt to make farming more accessible to rural dwellers who largely depend on agriculture for survival.

Shendam LGA also stood out as a beacon of unity. Nicholas Kemi- Nshe, the Council Chairman explained that his administration had restored peaceful coexistence among communities previously plagued by conflict. Martin Shaides, the Longgaimai, Paramount Ruler of Shendam, hosted the team and offered royal blessings to the chairmen during their stopover.

Throughout the tour, traditional rulers played a key role, offering counsel, blessings, and an air of legitimacy to the entire process. At each LGA, the chairmen paid homage to the local monarchs, acknowledging the importance of traditional institutions in grassroots governance.

At Qua’an Pan LGA, Dabak Joshua, the PDP Deputy Chairman urged council bosses to carry along aspirants who lost during party primaries. He called for greater inclusiveness in local governance, echoing a concern also raised by citizens during community engagement sessions held in several LGAs.

Some citizens, like Mark Ibrahim given the chance to speak publicly, voiced frustrations over lack of access and perceived marginalisation. Several council chairmen, in response, pledged to bridge the gap and address these shortcomings going forward.

In many ways, this tour was a two-way mirror: a chance for leaders to reflect on their achievements, and for citizens to voice concerns and demands in a direct manner. The emphasis on human capital development, inclusivity, and participatory governance was a running theme.

Grassroots governance, often overlooked in national discourse, remains the closest link between the people and government. In places like Plateau State, where topography and insecurity often limit state or federal intervention, the local government remains the people’s first hope for development.

This makes local government performance not just important, but pivotal. A good road or functioning health clinic built by an LGA can mean the difference between life and death in rural Plateau.

The council chairmen highlighted that they were judiciously managing available resources, often in the face of dwindling allocations and rising needs. Whether it was infrastructure, health care, agriculture, or security, the consensus was that the demands far outweighed the means.

Still, the creativity and resilience of some council bosses were evident. From innovation in media outreach to improved healthcare access and proactive security support, there were clear signs that local government can deliver when well-led.

The peer-review tour also served as a morale booster and a reminder that governance is a shared responsibility. The exchange of ideas sparked hope that some LGAs might adopt successful initiatives from their counterparts.

Notably, the initiative could also serve as a template for other states. The structured, on-the-ground assessment helped bridge the disconnect between government and the grassroots, offering lessons in transparency, accountability, and community engagement.

The fact that the tour was self-initiated and not dictated from above lent it additional credibility. It was a sign that local governance, when left to assess itself honestly, can lead to genuine transformation.

As the tour concluded with visits to the northern geopolitical zone, citizens wait to see if promises made during the tour will translate into action. Whether it’s the quick commissioning of incomplete projects or improvements in service delivery, expectations remain high.

In the end, while one year is too short to fix deep-rooted issues, it’s long enough to show the direction a government is heading. In Plateau State, some local governments are sprinting, others walking—but all, it seems, are moving.

For the grassroots to feel the real impact of democracy, local governments must continue to step up. The peer review tour was not just a look at the past year, but a glimpse into what the future could hold—if leadership stays people-centered and progress-focused.