CHIEFTAIN of All Progressives Congress (APC) and a former deputy governor of Benue State, Chief Stephen Lawani, while welcoming Supreme Court’s judgement on financial autonomy for local government councils, however stated that the local government system still requires something additional to make that tier of government functional and relevant.
Chief Lawani, in a statement added that Nigeria labours in vain as far as election into local councils is concerned unless the conduct of elections into the councils is taken away from State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) and handed over to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to Lawani, it is not whether INEC has suddenly become a body of angels but about what he calls the defining context of local government councils in Nigeria.
Identifying the context as the fear of the party in power in every state, Lawani argues that such a party cannot allow a credible election.
“Any election conducted by any SIEC under that defining context is useless if you are talking of anything free and fair”, said Lawani.
By his argument, the Supreme Court ruling is needed but not sufficient in guaranteeing the autonomy of local government councils.
“What will be the guarantee is if election to all 774 local government councils is held the same day along with election to other political offices,” Lawani stated adding that “anything in the form of elections into local government councils before 2027 should be put on hold.”
He further called for setting a date when local government council elections will be conducted. “That way, we would be electing all local government chairmen and councillors at the same time with members of the House of Assembly and governors”.
Chief Lawani, who holds the traditional title; Ochagwu k’Idoma, says 2027 is the earliest date when the new election regime should commence.
