From Noah Ebije, Kaduna; Tony John, Port Harcourt; Scholastica Hir, Makurdi; George Onyejiuwa, Imo; Abel Leonard, Nasarawa and Femi Folarin, Bayelsa
The National Assembly is mulling the establishment of a central body to conduct council polls in the country, following the Supreme Court ruling that granted financial autonomy to local governments in the country. If it scales through, it means the conduct of LG elections by the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIEC) constituted by the respective state governments will stop.
In this report, some Nigerians bared their minds on the proposal by the National Assembly.
Govs have used SIEC to kill democracy at LG level – Anthony Sani; former ACF chieftain, Kaduna
I am in support of a national body to conduct local government election because State Independent Electoral Commissions have been abused and used by state governors to kill democracy at local government level. There is the clamour that SIEC should be expunged and replaced by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct all elections that include that of local governments. To me, INEC should conduct all elections on the same day in order to reduce cost and prevent bandwagon effect.
Significant step towards enhancing LG autonomy – Abdullazeez Suleiman, spokesperson, NEF, Kaduna
The proposal by the National Assembly to establish a central body to oversee local government elections across the country marks a significant step towards enhancing the autonomy and efficacy of local governance. The move to create a central body to conduct local government elections represents a transformative opportunity to revitalise local governance in the country. By removing the undue influence of governors, this initiative not only strengthens the foundation of democracy at the local level but also ensures that local governments can genuinely meet the needs of their communities.
The current system, which delegates the responsibility of conducting council polls to state governors, has led to a problematic interplay of power, resulting in the undue emasculation of local government systems.
Govs should keep an eye on LG chairmen – Dr Terkula Daniel, lecturer; Makurdi
Some of us have mixed feelings over this. It will be a success depending on who we elect. The National Assembly members are not in the state or at the local government and, so, don’t know what is happening there. If the state governors are stripped of the powers to conduct local government elections, there would be nobody to keep an eye on the LG chairmen, and the people will still suffer.
Allow SIEC to conduct LG elections – Rebecca Tsokar, teacher; Makurdi
It will be difficult. The National Assembly members do not know the problems we are facing at the LG level. It will be better if they allow SIEC to conduct LG elections. So, I don’t buy the idea of the National Assembly creating a central/national body to conduct local government elections across the country. Allow the State Independent Electoral Commission to conduct LG elections. People are politically aware these days and it is becoming difficult to rig elections.
No central body can conduct council polls – Desmond Kato, businessman; Makurdi
I don’t support the idea of the National Assembly creating a central/national body to conduct local government elections across the country. To me, this arrangement is a total duplication of offices and duties and also looks like a plan to create rooms to settle political allies and waste taxpayers monies that would have been used for other pressing issues.
It will restore sanity in LG administration – Philip Chinyeaka, businessman; Owerri
It would be a good development if the Independent National Electoral Commission takes over the conduct of local government elections in Nigeria. It is ridiculous the way and manner state governors impose their lackeys as local government chairmen in shambolic polls, where only members of their parties win everything.
I commend the Supreme Court for freeing the local governments from the clutches of state governors who have continued to appropriate the allocations of the council areas as their pocket monies while the LGs rot away.
It will give other parties level playing ground to compete – Romanus Onu, politician, Owerri
I support the idea that the Independent National Electoral Commission should take over the conduct of LG polls. It will give other parties a level playing field to compete as against the current trend where only the party in power wins everything, thereby denying the people the opportunity to elect who they want. INEC can handle that because it has been conducting area council elections in Abuja.
I call on the National Assembly leadership to expedite action on amendment of the provision to allow the INEC to conduct the LG polls
SIECs should be scrapped to liberate LGAs from governors – Chief Sunny Ndukwu, politician, Owerri
Relevant sections of the electoral law should be amended to allow INEC conduct local government areas elections. I commend the Supreme Court over the landmark judgement on local government autonomy. The Attorney General of the Federation should take a bold step to complete the process of ensuring that the LGAs are liberated from the grip of governors by scrapping the State Independent Electoral Commission.
Not a good idea, will strip state lawmakers of powers – Livingstone Wechie, public commentator, Port Harcourt
The establishment of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) is a constitutional issue provided for in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN), in section 197(1). However, the creation of a distinct body by the National Assembly will mean an outright amendment of the constitution, as well as stripping the state Houses of Assemblies of the powers thereto.
FG agency to conduct council elections bizarre – Chief Festus Ogwuche, lawyer, Port Harcourt
The idea of a federally controlled agency to conduct council elections is completely out of the way, so much also for judicial legislation. The idea of the National Assembly creating a central/national body to conduct council elections is somewhat a misnomer and care must be taken not to stretch whatever policy gains there are in the recent decision of the apex court on council autonomy beyond the bounds of the pre-existing organic structure and composition of the federation.
To have council elections conducted by a central agency as envisaged by the National Assembly in a federation is a contradiction in terms and is as bizarre as it sounds. This requires alterations in fundamental constitutional provisions proclaiming a federal system that would entail a total overhauling of the document particularly in the areas that define the legislative powers of the Houses of Assembly vis-a-vis the National Assembly.
Conduct of LG polls marred by undemocratic practices- Dr. Mike Omeri, former DG, NOA, Lafia
The conduct of local government elections in Nigeria has been marred by undemocratic practices, with the ruling party at the state level often manipulating the outcome. This has resulted in winners being unsure of their vote count and losers unaware of their margin of defeat. This trend has raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
To address this, a national re-orientation programme is urgently needed to promote a culture of democracy, citizenship, and values. This would help to bridge the trust deficit, eliminate tribalism, and foster a sense of Nigerian identity and patriotism. By so doing, we can reduce the perception of marginalisation, nepotism, and promote a more inclusive and equitable society. Only then can we ensure free and fair elections, and strengthen the democratic process in Nigeria.
Voices, interests of people should be heard in elections – Prof. Samson Fabian, lecturer, Calabar
The future of Nigeria’s political landscape is poised to be a democracy of the people. This implies a shift away from the current trend of manipulated elections and towards a more inclusive and representative form of governance. In this envisioned democracy, the voices and interests of the people would be truly heard and reflected in the electoral process.
The power dynamics would be reversed, with the people holding the reins of power rather than a select few.
A democracy of the people would foster a sense of ownership and accountability among citizens, leading to a more stable and prosperous Nigeria at the local government level.
A step in the right direction – Dr. Abdukarreem Alhassan, University of Lafia
The proposed electoral body for local government elections is a step in the right direction, provided it is implemented without political interference. A well-structured body free from partisan interests can help to address the deep-seated issues plaguing local government elections and executive interference, such as corruption, tribalism, and nepotism.
However, if the body is hijacked by political interests, it risks becoming another tool for entrenching the status quo, rather than driving meaningful change.
A welcome development – Edward John Auta, politician, Kaduna
The plans by the National Assembly to put in place a national body to conduct local government elections is a right step in the right direction and also a welcome development. The charade that local government council elections in Nigeria have been over the years is a mockery of democracy anywhere in the world. Given the recent judgements of the Supreme Court on financial autonomy and tenure of office for local governments and LG officials respectively, leaving the election of local governments in the hands of state governors would be akin to killing a snake without removing its head, hence the risk of having stooges of the governors imposed at all costs as chairmen.
Abuse of powers by govs will stop – Ogheneochuko Samson, lawyer, Sagbama, Bayelsa
It is one of the best things to happen to our democracy. The abuse of political powers from sitting governors and state ruling parties will be well checkmated. The financial autonomy given to the local government is guaranteed. A popular and accepted candidate at the grassroots has 90 per cent chances to come out victorious. If it happens, the third tier system of government to an extent is sure. It will bring about the independence of the local government.