Politics
INEC Has No Power To Conduct LG Election – Yakubu
The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu says the commission has no constitutional power to conduct local council elections except in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Yakubu said this on the sidelines of a two-day induction retreat for INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), on Monday in Lagos.
Reacting to the agitation seeking constitutional backing for INEC to be saddled with the responsibility of conducting local council elections, Yakubu described it as ‘a constitutional matter’.
According to Yakubu, unless necessary constitutional amendments are made, the commission will only continue to organise national and state elections.
“The same section of the constitution that establishes INEC also establishes the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) and we cannot take over their duties.
“It is good for people to engage in advocacy for INEC to take charge of the whole elections, but the constitution has to be amended for that to happen.
“For now, INEC can only conduct the local government elections in the Federal Capital Territory with six area council chairmen and 62 councillors.
“And it is in the FCT that the conduct of council elections has been regular and we are proud that the conduct of the elections there has been done to the best of our capacity.
“So, we are encouraged by what we have done, but as for taking over the state elections, the constitution has to be amended, and we are not there yet,’’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some Nigerians are canvassing for the dissolution of the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) in the ongoing constitutional amendment, to pave way for INEC to take charge of local government elections.
The prooponents believe that state governors were hijacking local councils’ allocation due to irregularities in the conduct of the LG polls.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), had in March this year called for the scrapping of SIECs.
Fagbemi said that SIEC’s function should be transferred to INEC, to ensure independence and transparency in the outcome of local government elections in the country.
Siminalyi Fubara, the River state Governor has cried out over the forth coming local government election that he regretted that his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), will not be taking part in the October 5 Local Government Election in the state.
He stated this on Thursday at a meeting with some stakeholders of the party at the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt.
Gov. Fubara said the election has to be held on Saturday to comply with the three months of grace given by the Federal Government to begin the implementation of the Supreme Court judgement on local government autonomy.
Rivers State joins the long list of states conducting LG polls across the country.
“You know this election, I am the greatest loser because my party is not participating. It is the truth!” Fubara said.
“Go, do what the law says you should do, as demanded by the RSIEC Law, and leave the rest. RSIEC will take it from there, and when RSIEC finishes its part, the State Government will also take it from that point and finish its part, and the process will all be consummated by the special grace of God in a few days.
“But because of the Supreme Court ruling that there must be elected officials to manage the affairs of local governments, as a governor, I have to obey that.
“And a good number of you here are my party faithful and you are not even benefiting from it, and you are here supporting us. So, what is the problem?
“So, I want to thank you for supporting democracy. I want to thank you for ensuring that there is a rule of law. I want to thank you for sticking your neck out to make sure that Rivers State still stands among the comity of states.”
Fubara insisted that the election will have only those residents in the state who are registered voters participating.
The governor also appealed to residents of the state to return to their various LGAs, follow the process, be law-abiding, and eschew violence.
OLU JAMES RAPHEAL
There has been a high tension in Edo state and the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Asuerinme Ighodalo and his counterpart in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Monday Okpebholo, are leading in their strongholds.
From some of the results, the PDP is maintaining its lead in Edo South. The party is also maintaining its lead in Akoko Edo Local Government Area, Edo North Senatorial District as well as a good performance in Owan West and Esatko West Local Government Areas.
Generally, the APC is maintaining a comfortable lead in Etsako East and Owan East Local Government Areas of Edo North.
In Edo Central Senatorial District, both the APC and the PDP are holding strong.
In all, the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Barr. Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata, loose in his polling unit.
Gov Nwifuru Tasks New LG Chairmen On Development Of Ebony
Ebonyi Governor Francis Nwifuru has tasked local government chairmen to support him in the building and development of the state.
According to him, he is ready to fight anyone who goes contrary to making Ebonyi a better place even as the local government allocation funds get to them directly.
Governor Nwifuru gave the charge at Ecumenical Center Abakaliki after he swore in the thirteen (13) executive council chairmen alongside their deputies and members of advisory committees on Sunday.
He then urged the council chairmen on the need to be accountable and diligent in their services to the people.
His words: “The challenge is how to maintain those who work for you. I am sure in your two years in office, you will not remember them because of the activities in the office. Ask God to give you the opportunity to enable you to choose your friends.
“You are on a very dangerous road because any move you make will be looked into. We cannot be two captains on the ship. I am the captain.
SOURCE: TRIBUTE