By Naomi Sharang
Rep. Jeremiah Umaru (APC-Nasarawa State), has advocated constitutional powers be given to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct local government elections in Nigeria.
He made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Abuja while reacting to the recent Supreme Court judgement that granted Local Governments financial autonomy.
Umaru who represents Wamba/Akwanga/Nasarawa Eggon Federal Constituency believes that the INEC should be granted the constitutional authority to oversee local government elections to guard against interference of the electoral process.
He said: The judgment by the Supreme Court which gave the local government administration financial autonomy is indeed a landmark one.
“It’s a welcome development and it’s an indication that the people at the grass roots, at the local level will feel the impact of governance.
“With this judgment, the local government executives will be held responsible by the people.
“What we are looking at is the possibility of INEC conducting the local government elections because we want a situation whereby the system will be transparent and it will be the will of the people.
“The will of the people has to prevail because government is going back to them.”
The lawmaker said that the National Assembly will ensure accountability of the funds that will be released by the Federal Government.
“As a member of the Public Accounts Committee in the House of Representatives, we will ensure accountability of the money that is going to be released from the federation account.
“We will also ensure that the local government executives discharge their duties transparently.”
He further said that with the financial autonomy, the level of food crisis will reduce.
“The level of hunger will reduce because when the people are feeling the impact of governance directly at the grassroots, it will reduce all those pressure; pressure on the part of the state government and pressure on the part of the federal government.
“With allocation from the Federation Account, people at the grassroots will feel the impact of governance.
