Kogi to conduct local councils’ elections in October

The Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission has said that it will conduct Local Government elections on 19 October 2024.

This is coming on the heels of the Supreme Court judgement last week which declared the caretaker committee running the affairs of Local Government Councils in the country as illegal and unconstitutional.

The Federal Government equally said the revenue allocation to the Local Government Authorities without elected officials would be withheld as the Joint Allocation Accounts Committee (JAAC) would no longer be recognized under the law

Speaking at the first stakeholders meeting held in Lokoja, State Capital on Tuesday, Mamman Eri, Charman of Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission said that the election timetable was done in accordance with the Provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and the powers vested in the State Independent Electoral Commission.

Read also: AFAN sets up transition committee for Kogi chapter election

Eri said a comprehensive timetable schedule of activities had been prepared to ensure a transparent, fair and credible electoral process.

“We assure you that these activities have been designed with utmost consideration for inclusivity, transparency and adherence to electoral laws. In the timetable made available, each candidate for the counselorship election is expected to deposit N100,000 to the commission while 250,000 is to be deposited by the Chairmanship candidate.

“Similarly, anyone who has been dismissed from the public or civil service of the Federation or a state or local government area or private employment is not qualified to contest for any of the positions.

“Also, anyone who has been found guilty of an offence involving narcotic drugs or any other psychotropic substance by any court in Nigeria or tribunal in Nigeria or any other country cannot view fo any of elective position in the Election”, he said.