LG Autonomy: INEC Should Oversee LG Elections, Ohanaeze Advocates
By Ben Nworie
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has called on the federal government to collaborate with the National assembly to empower the Independent National Electoral Commission to oversee the conduct of local government elections in Nigeria.
In a statement issued by the Secretary General of the organization, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the body noted the process would prevent governors from manipulating State Independent Electoral Commissions to place their loyalists in positions of power for their personal gain.
According to them: “it is imperative for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be constitutionally empowered to oversee Local Government elections. This will ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness in the electoral process, preventing Governors from manipulating State Independent Electoral Commissions to place their loyalists in positions of power for their personal gain”.
“The Federal Government must collaborate with the National Assembly to empower INEC to oversee the entire process nationwide. This is essential to curb the long-standing impunity and corruption perpetuated by State Governors, thereby ensuring that Local Government funds are utilized for the benefit of the communities they serve”.
The organization also lauded the apex court for the LG autonomy, stressing that it would put an end to the unchecked control and mismanagement of Local Government funds by State Governors.
“However, there is a crucial need for the implementation of this verdict to be effective in order to prevent further embezzlement and diversion of LGA allocations”.
“We caution Southeast Governors against any further delay or deviation from the Supreme Court’s directive. The era of appointing cronies and stooges to oversee Local Government affairs for personal gain must come to an end. Failure to comply with the Court’s ruling will result in legal action and severe repercussions for defiant Governors. It is time for transparency, accountability, and probity to prevail in the administration of Local Government affairs”.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo urges Southeast Governors to embrace the Supreme Court’s ruling and act in accordance with it. By organizing free, fair, and credible Local Government elections in the region’s 95 LGAs, the Governors can contribute to strengthening democratic governance and addressing security challenges at the grassroots level. Any attempts to circumvent the Supreme Court’s judgment through clandestine means will be closely monitored and met with resistance from the vigilant Nigerian and Igbo populace”, Isiguzoro said.
The body therefore called on all stakeholders to join hands in ensuring that the Supreme Court’s verdict on LGA Autonomy is fully implemented and that Local Government funds are utilized for the benefit of the Nigerian people.
