•Nigeria’s Supreme Court
More states of the federation have affirmed dates for the conduct of local government elections in their domain.
The move is seen as a bid to put the states in a good stead to evade any possible hammer in the wake of the July 11 ruling of the Supreme Court on local government autonomy, reports Nigerian Tribune.
While Kwara and Bauchi states have earlier fixed dates for the conduct of council elections, Kogi and Kaduna states, yesterday affirmed dates for the conduct of council polls.
While the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission had fixed August 16 for council polls, its counterpart in Kwara annoucned September 21, while Kogi and Kaduna states fixed October 19 for the conduct of council elections.
However, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has ordered caretaker committee chairmen, sworn in last week to resume office despite the Supreme Court ruling.
In another development, the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno said yesterday that the decision of the Supreme Court to grant autonomy to the councils was a relief to the states, adding that he was only concerned about the effective implementation of the apex court judgment.
The decision to conduct local government elections is coming on the heels of the revelation that the 774 local governments in the country would receive N337 billion of the N1.3 trillion allocation for the month of June.
At least 65 percent of the local governments in the country were at the risk of receiving zero allocations if the Federal Government had gone ahead with the immediate implementation of the Supreme Court ruling which barred councils without democratically elected governments from receiving federal allocation.
Kwara to conduct council election manually
The Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC) announced yesterday that it will use only manual process and not electronic voting in the conduct of the September 21 local government elections in Kwara state.
Speaking during a stakeholders forum organised ahead of the forthcoming council election yesterday in Ilorin, the commission’s chairman, Mohammed Okanla, also said that there will not be electronic transmission of results.
Mr. Okanla added that “KWSIEC will ensure that these elections are free, fair, credible, acceptable and inclusive.
“We have put in place robust measures to uphold the integrity of the electoral process, from voters register to the final declaration of results. We are committed to transparency and accountability in every step of the process.
“As we prepare for the upholding local government elections, it is vital to recognize their importance in our democratic system. Local government elections are the foundation of our democratic structure, providing citizens with the power to elect leaders who will directly affect their everyday lives”.
While speaking, the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Honourable Babatunde Mohammed, called on the electoral umpire to provide level playing field to all the political parties before, during and after the election.
He added that council election in the state was long over due, adding that council elections were last held in the state in 2017.
He said that “this is unprecedented in the history of the state.
“I appeal KWSIEC to do what is legal and humanly possible to ensure we have free, fair and transparent election in the state.
Also speaking All Progressives Congress (APC) acting chair in the state, Alhaji Abdullahi S. Abubakar, advised the commission to hold town hall meetings with the electorate, especially in the grassroots areas of the state.
LG polls: Offa indigenes call for community-driven leadership
Also in Kwara State, indigenes of the ancient town of Offa the Offa local government area, under the aegis of the Stakeholders Forum on Good Governance in Offa LGA, have stressed the need for community-driven leadership in the area ahead Local Government Elections in the state.
Speaking at a forum of indigenes of the ancient town yesterday, the coordinator of the group, Chief Abdulateef Kunle Ajeigbe, charged the people to make use of the upcoming local government election in September to reclaim the local government and ensure that it serves the people of Offa.
Ajeigbe, who said that Offa Local Government had been in a state of comatose for many years due to alleged deliberate actions of successive state governments, added that over N9 billion accrued to the government between January 2019 and June 2024, “without any sign of development to show for it”.
He, therefore, called on the people to join hands in the mission, saying that, “Let us come together, across political divides, and support a candidate who embodies the values and aspirations of Offa”.
“It is time for us to take our destiny into our own hands. The upcoming local government election in September presents us with a unique opportunity to reclaim our local government and ensure that it serves the people of Offa, not the interests of outsiders or the state government.
“We must support a sound candidate who has a deep love for our community and no attachment to the state government.
“We need a leader who will harness the ample human resources and capabilities within Offa to make our local government outstanding once again.
“The autonomy granted to local governments provides us with the chance to deploy our resources effectively, but this will only be possible if we safeguard the election of credible leaders who are truly committed to the well-being of our community”, he said.
Kogi SIEC to conduct local government councils election October 19
In Kogi State, the chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) on Tuesday, announced October 19, 2024, for the conduct of chairmanship and councilorship elections across the 21 local government areas in the state.
Chairman of KOSIEC, Mallam Mamman Nda-Eri, disclosed this at a stakeholders’ meeting in Lokoja, stated that the SIEC, established under Section 197 of the 1999 Constitution has been further empowered by Kogi State Government, via the Local Government Elections Law 2004, and the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).
“We diligently this comprehensive Timetable and Schedule of Activities to ensure a transparent, fair, and credible electoral process.
He said: “We assure you that these activities have been designed with utmost consideration for inclusivity, transparency, and adherence to electoral laws.
“As such we present the detailed Timetable and Schedule of Activities, to you all as critical stakeholders, for your review and approval.
“We appreciate your continued support and collaboration to the successful organization and completion of the 2024 Local Government Elections in Kogi State by the grace of God.
“In accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and the powers vested in the SIEC).
“I hereby formally present the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the conduct of the 2024 Local Government Elections in Kogi State which will be scheduled for 19th October, 2024 by the grace of God.”
He noted that collection of forms by political parties from SIEC would be August 5 to 12, while the conduct of primaries including dispute resolutions is from August 13 to 23.
He added that Aug 26, will be the last day for forms submission, while verification and document will hold between September 4 to 12.
He added: “The campaigns by political parties will commence on Sept 13, and end on October 17, while election holds on Octopus 19”.
BASIEC fixes August 17 for LG elections
The Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC) has fixed Aug. 19, 2024, for local government elections in the state.
The Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Ahmad Makama, who disclosed this at a news conference on Tuesday in Bauchi, said all necessary arrangements have been concluded to ensure free and fair elections.
He reiterated the commitment of the commission to conduct credible and transparent election, urging citizens to come out and vote for their preferred candidates across all parties on the election day.
He denied any alleged rigging plan in the elections, noting that previous elections were free and fair.
Makama also said that the commission had organised series of meetings with political parties, security chiefs and relevant stakeholders, as part of the election preparations.
He urged the public to support the commission to ensure hitch-free local government elections.
Kaduna fixes LG Elections Oct 19
The Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission(KAD-SIECOM) has fixed October 19, 2024 for the conduct of Local Government elections in the state.
This was disclosed by the chairperson of KAD-SIECOM, Hajara Mohammed, at a meeting with political parties and other stakeholders in Kaduna.
According to her, the serving council members were sworn into office on November 1, 2021 and will end their 3-year tenure on October 31, 2024.
“The current council members were sworn into office on 1 November 2021 and will end their three-year tenure on 31 October. KAD-SIECOM is responsible for organising the elections of chairpersons, vice-chairpersons, and councillors in the state.”
“In consonance with the provision of section 25(1) of the KAD-SIECOM Law 2024, the general public is hereby informed that the LGA council election will be held in Kaduna on Saturday, 19th October 2024, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.”
“The commission issues the election timetable today, Tuesday 16th July 2024.The 2024 election guidelines have been released with the election timetable KAD-SIECOM is ready to conduct the election on the set date,” the Chairperson said.
Eno says LG autonomy relief to states, seeks effective implementation
Also in Uyo, yesterday, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, has described the Supreme Court’s decision granting financial autonomy to local government councils as a relief to states.
Eno who made the statement while speaking to newsmen in Uyo however, expressed concerns over the effective implementation of the new order.
“The recent decision of the Apex Court is a welcome development, it is also a huge relief to state governments.
“My concern is its effective implementation, and the ability of local governments to handle their financial responsibilities,” he said.
The governor said that the decision had become the extant law, being the pronouncement of the highest court in the country.
He said that the decision had thrown up a few challenges concerning the prompt payment of local government workers salaries.
“The challenge I envisage now, is how primary school teachers can be paid promptly, How do we even clear the backlog that we have?” he asked.
Eno said that under his watch, local governments had always received their due allocations, saying,”I have not touched any funds meant for council authorities.”
“So with this judgement, I feel relieved, but my concern is how they will bear the brunt of the autonomy.
“My administration has channelled volumes of funds into offsetting arrears of gratuities, pensions, salaries and other entitlements to local government workers.
“It is my hope that under the new arrangement, local governments will take over the responsibilities of paying the salaries of teachers, health workers and other personnel,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa directs Ondo transition committee to resume despite supreme Court judgement
Despite the Supreme Court judgement that gives fiscal autonomy to local governments in the country, the Transition Committee appointed by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to oversee the affairs of the Local Government and LCDAs in the State have been told to assume office.
Aiyedatiwa had asked his appointed transition committees to assume duties immediately in the 18 local government areas as well as the nullified 33 LCDAs with immediate effect.
It was gathered that the Commissioner for Local government and Chieftaincy affairs on Monday, met with the appointed transition committee members ordering them to resume at their various local government areas and LCDAs.
A member of the transition committee who spoke with our correspondent, said all the new appointees have been asked to resume to their office, as the governors across the nation are expected to meet in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said: “the Supreme Court judgement did not affect the appointment of the transition committee as we are only appointed to oversee the affairs of the local government.
“We are not elected but we are appointed in order not create vacuum in the administration of the local government but the local government election might hold soon according to the constitution”
It will be recalled that Aiyedatiwa last Wednesday appointed about 357 members of the transition committees to run the affairs of the local governments and the LCDAs, despite the nullification of the LCDAs by an Ondo State High Court
But few hours after the appointment of the local government chairmen, the Supreme Court handed down its unanimous judgement on the autonomy of the 774 local government areas in the federation.
Speaking on the development, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Amidu Takuro, said the transition committee have been ordered to resume to their post with immediate effect.
According to him, Ondo State was not the only state affected by the apex court verdict, saying the local government election could not be conducted in a hurry but had to comply with the Electoral Act.
He noted that the transition committees needed no formal inauguration since their appointment takes immediate effect.
According to him, “No fewer than 21 states are affected and this is not peculiar to Ondo State alone. The governors will be meeting in Abuja during the week and there is still room for negotiations and there’s no need for rush.
“Judgement does not take immediate effect, even at that, we cannot conduct local government election immediately. There are procedures for election, so, we will study the judgement.
