ALGON Appoints Senator Simon Bako Lalong As Patron
By Comfort Pius
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has appointed former Governor of Plateau State and Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District, Simon Bako Lalong, as its Patron.
The announcement was made in Abuja during the inauguration of Hon. Iliyasu Zakari as the Acting National President of the Association.
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ALGON said the choice of Senator Lalong as Patron is in recognition of his remarkable political achievements and long-standing commitment to the advancement of democracy and good governance, particularly at the grassroots level.
According to the Association, Senator Lalong demonstrated exceptional leadership as Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, where he spearheaded efforts towards securing stable tenures for Local Government Chairmen and championed the abolition of caretaker committee administrations.
ALGON further recalled that as Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of Houses of Assembly, Lalong played a pivotal role in advancing the legal battle for local government autonomy, which culminated in a landmark victory at the Supreme Court in favour of local governments.
The Association also noted that during his tenure as Governor of Plateau State, Lalong was at the forefront of promoting and implementing local government autonomy, distinguishing himself as one of the few governors who took concrete steps to actualize it.
In addition, ALGON highlighted his role as Director-General of the Tinubu Campaign Organisation, where he collaborated with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that local government autonomy became a key component of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In his acceptance remarks, Senator Lalong expressed appreciation to ALGON for the honour bestowed on him and pledged to continue advocating for the full entrenchment of democracy at the grassroots level, in line with the recent Supreme Court judgment affirming full autonomy for local governments.
He congratulated the new leadership under Hon. Zakari and urged them to put behind all divisions of the past to move the Association forward for the interest of democracy and development at the grassroots.
He emphasized that effective and fully functional local governments are critical to enhancing security, stimulating economic growth, and accelerating infrastructure development across the country.
Senator Lalong reaffirmed his commitment to working with ALGON and other stakeholders to strengthen local governance structures and deepen democratic practices in Nigeria.