Yahaya Bello, governor, Kogi State has listed paucity of funds and insecurity is reasons why his administration cannot conduct the local government election earlier scheduled to hold this year. The governor, in a letter to the state House of Assembly, urged the members to extend the tenure of the council bosses, saying the dwindling resources of the state could not enable the government to meet many of its obligations, including the conduct of the local government election.
The assembly had approved N450million for the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) to enable it to conduct election into the 21 local government areas in the state. At the resumed sitting of the assembly, the member representing Okehi state constituency, Kekere Sanni, said the reasons advanced by the executive were enough to grant the request as the state has adopted the principle of necessity.
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However, John Abba, from Ibaji state constituency, who noted that N450million was approved for the conduct of local government election in 2017 budget, wondered why the executive failed to adopt the resolution of the House when it first extended the administrators tenure. Abba called on the House to at all times promote, protect and fight for democracy since there is no substitution. He advised the Assembly that the six months extension should mean that within the six months, elections should be conducted and democratically elected council chairmen put in place to avoid constitutional lapses.
“Provision was made in the 2017 budget but the issues raised by the Executive are crucial; my main concern is not just extending their tenure, because either we like it or not, caretaker committees is an illegality,” said Abba. According to him, “The Supreme Court has confirmed it. It is appalling that the majority of the states in Nigeria are operating under caretaker committees which is illegal, uncalled for and should be condemned. We want to make it known to the Executive, if this is granted we can no longer continue in the illegality; no more extension, the election should be conducted within the period”.
Also, Sunday Shigaba, member representing Bassa state constituency, said: “What is happening in the House is between law and reality. Interim government or whatever we call it is illegal. It has become practically impossible for the state government to conduct the election as at when due. Whether we like it or not, we can’t compel the Executive to conduct election before the close of the year given the time frame that is available to us”.
Victoria Nnakiaike, Lokoja
