Photo file : Past Executive Chairman of Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nasara Rabo .

The immediate past Executive Chairman of Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nasara Rabo, has commended the governance style of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, particularly in the areas of local government autonomy and capacity development, describing it as a model worth replicating nationwide.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the newsmen on Friday, Rabo recalled the El-Rufai era as one that empowered local government councils with financial independence while prioritising leadership training.

“As Executive Chairmen under El-Rufai’s leadership, we underwent intensive training both locally and internationally,” he said. “We were exposed to courses in leadership, project implementation, procurement ethics, environmental management, and climate change response. We attended strategic conferences and seminars that broadened our understanding of governance at the grassroots.”

According to him, the training enabled local government administrators to operate competitively, not only within Nigeria but also as sub-national entities on the global stage.

“We competed internationally in terms of sub-national development metrics, and more importantly, we enjoyed true financial autonomy. This allowed for visible, tangible projects at the grassroots level. Communities could see and feel governance directly,” he added.

Rabo lamented what he described as the increasing neglect of local governments in many parts of the country, warning that such backsliding weakens democracy and undermines service delivery.

However, he expressed optimism for the future of grassroots governance, pledging support for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the political platform to reclaim and reform local government administration across Nigeria.

“Let the entire country bear witness to the standard we upheld during our tenure,” he declared. “We are coming again, and this time under the ADC banner. Come 2027, Nigerians will see a new wave of credible leadership rooted in grassroots development.”