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By Emma Emeozor
Global Society for Anti-Corruption (GSAC), an NGO, has faulted the decision of Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo to appoint caretaker committees for the local government councils in the state.
In a statement signed by the organisation’s Country Director Mrs Amaka Nweke and made available to Daily Sun, the group asked the governor to jettison the decision and conduct local government council polls.
It reminded the governor that local council polls have not been conducted in the state for the past 10 years, a development it described as very appalling. It drew the governor’s attention to the 1999 constitution as amended, which recognised the three-tier of government in Nigeria and noted that denying the citizens of the state the opportunity to elect councillors to govern their affairs is akin to denying them the exercise of their constitutional rights.
“If indeed, we are faithful to the letters of that constitution, then we should allow democracy to operate at the grassroots by instituting electoral process at that level,” GSAC stressed.
The group wants Soludo to know that “its position is supported by sections 7 and 8 of the constitution which empower states to conduct council elections and grant full autonomy to local governments to enable them to function effectively. So negating this aspect is like rejecting that which he professed to preserve.”
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It blamed lack of healthy competition, the imposition of leaders through appointment on the people and corruption for the poor performance of the local government councils over the years. The statement read in part: “We want to state that we totally reject caretaker committees for local government affairs. It is unconstitutional and unacceptable to continue to allow the poor representation of the only arm of government that is closer to our people.
“Our rural areas are a key component of government and development. Our communities in the various rural areas form the building blocks of local government and you cannot talk about overall development without the communities.
“Periodic elections at that level ensure accountability; it breeds competition and promotes a sense of belonging. We will be promoting healthy competition among the various segments when we encourage elections.
“We think that Governor Soludo should change this mantra and strive to deepen our democracy by the infusion of the periodic electoral process at the third tier. He should make a difference where others have failed.
“Our dear governor can leverage on the goodwill at the moment to restore order at that level and give Anambra state democracy at the grassroots. He would have inscribed his name on gold should he break the jinx that became a conduit pipe to milk the state its scarce resources in the past years. He has promised a new phase for Anambra state, let this new beginning start with the local governments as it will in the long run reduce pressure on the state government.
“Meanwhile, we canvassed a review of the constitution that should also provide sanctions to state governments that fail to conduct elections at the local government councils. It will help deepen our democracy and politics at that level.
