***Calls on Gov. Ododo’s administration to rescind decision
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
A Human Rights Activist and Executive Director, Initiative for Grassroots Advancement in Nigeria (INGRA) Hamza Aliyu has faulted the tenure extension of the Local Government Transition Committees recently approved by Kogi House of Assembly.
In a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen in Lokoja, Aliyu called on Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to commence with immediate effect, processes for elections into the Local Government Councils.
The rights activist held that the alleged culprit (paucity of funds) on which the government hinged its inability to conduct elections in Local Government councils, was not only untenable but downright unbelievable in view of Federal allocations accruing to the state.
“The reasons of poor finances for non conduct of elections at the Local Government level by the State Government is not only not tenable but downright unbelievable.
“The January-April 2024 NET allocation (minus all deductions) to the State and 21 Local Governments, as stated by the Federal Ministry of Finance, stood at over N56.4 Billion Naira (Fifity-Six Billion Naira).
“This is way more than enough to conduct any form of Local Government Council elections, that would provide Citizens the opportunity to decide who governs them at the local level.
“This is a violation of their Constitutional Right to participate in governance and deprives them the SOLE dividend of DEMOCRACY (Participation).
“It is evident that some other reasons and not finance, could be adduced for this inaction.
“It would have been unthinkable and definitely bother on Unconstitutionality for the President of Nigeria to not conduct elections after four years at the State level and appoint CARE TAKER GOVERNORS!
“It means that Governors who are the Primary beneficiaries of elections conducted by the Federal Government, must not deny that same rights to others at the Local Council levels”, he said
Aliyu went down memory lane saying that in June, 2022, Kogi State House of Assembly passed the Local Government Autonomy Bill during the 1999 Constitutional Amendment process under the Buhari’s administration.
He said that the move was applauded and hailed by all even as the ammendment could not sail through as it did not meet the required concurance of 24 State Assemblies.
The move, according to him, brought hope to citizens that “alas, we as a State, are moving in the right direction as it concerns governance at the local level”, he said.
The INGRA Executive Director said it was heart breaking therefore, when in January 2024, at the expiration of the elected Local Government Councils’ tenure, the former Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, appointed Care Taker Committees.
He wondered how former Governor Yahaya Bello who midwived the election into the Local Government Councils upon its expiration could appoint Caretaker Committees rather than bequeath elected successors to the Councils.
“Its was devasting to Citizens who had expected, called for and wished for continuity in the Local Government Democratic culture as enshrined in Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution as Amended”, he noted.
Aliyu therefore, called on Governor Ododo led administration to as a matter of urgency, rescind the extension and make arrangements to immediately organize elections (in any form, shape or manner) into the Local Councils.
This, he said, would give Kogi citizens, especially youths, the opportunity to practise democracy and strengthen the culture of elections.
He also called on Kogi State House of Assembly to ensure that democratic principles and structures are protected and guarded, no matter the pressure and circumstances. (Ends)