LG POLLS CONDUCTED BY SIECS, TRAVESTY OF DEMOCRACY – YIAGA AFRICA

th 21 jpeg

LG POLLS CONDUCTED BY SIECS, TRAVESTY OF DEMOCRACY – YIAGA AFRICA

Yiaga Africa has said most of the recently held local elections in the country are a travesty of democratic elections and fall short of electoral integrity standards.

Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, said this in a statement, on Monday.

The ruling party or parties supported by governors in power have won virtually all the chairmanship and councillorship seats in elections.

In his statement, Itodo said, “To harness the benefits of the Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to local governments, it is crucial to extend electoral reform to local government elections to liberate SIECs from the stronghold of state governors by safeguarding their operational and financial independence.

“Yiaga Africa has been actively working on local government elections and will issue a comprehensive report at the end of October, a period marked as the ‘super month’ for local elections. Our report will be based on the Local Government Elections Index we recently developed.”

He said as more states prepare for their upcoming local elections, it is important for the executive to refrain from interfering with the operations of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs).

“We also urge SIECs to assert their partial constitutional independence to conduct credible elections. Strict adherence to established guidelines is essential for ensuring the validity and integrity of local government elections,” Itodo said.

  • Dons Eze

    DONS EZE, PhD, Political Philosopher and Journalist of over four decades standing, worked in several newspaper houses across the country, and rose to the positions of Editor and General Manager. A UNESCO Fellow in Journalism, Dr. Dons Eze, a prolific writer and author of many books, attended several courses on Journalism and Communication in both Nigeria and overseas, including a Postgraduate Course on Journalism at Warsaw, Poland; Strategic Communication and Practical Communication Approach at RIPA International, London, the United Kingdom, among others.

    Related Posts

    PRO-WIKE LAWMAKERS DECLARE PRO-FUBARA LAWMAKERS’ SEATS VACANT

    PRO-WIKE LAWMAKERS DECLARE PRO-FUBARA LAWMAKERS’ SEATS VACANT The Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly has declared the seats of Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and three other pro-Fubara lawmakers vacant in the wake of their absence from sittings for 152 days. While aaking the declaration on Tuesday during plenary, Amaewhule explained that Ehie did not properly write to inform the House of his new office, and as such his seat has been declared vacant. Regarding Victor Oko-Jumbo and the two others, the House held three separate votes to declare their seats vacant for absenteeism from sitting for 152 days consecutively without notification or permission, in violation of the 1999 Constitution. The House further agreed to write to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct elections to replace the now vacant seats within 90 days to provide representation for their people. Also, the Assembly agreed to give Fubara another opportunity to present the 2024 Appropriations Bill following the Appeal Court’s nullification of the N800 billion budget which he had presented to a parallel House led by Edison Ehie.

    DAMAGUM DIVIDES PDP GOVERNORS

    DAMAGUM DIVIDES PDP GOVERNORS The ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) shows no signs of resolution, as the internal discord has led to a significant split among governors elected on the party’s platform.The turmoil escalated on Friday when the PDP’s national leadership fractured into two factions, with Yayari Mohammed and Umar Damagum leading each side. This division follows the controversial suspension of the party’s National Legal Adviser, Adeyemi Ajibade, and National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, by the Damagum faction during the 593rd meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC). In the wake of the leadership upheaval, Abdullahi and Okechukwu Osuoha were appointed to fill the roles of the suspended officials in acting capacities. However, the situation intensified further when Ologunagba announced the suspension of Damagum and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, citing numerous complaints against them. Prior to these disruptive suspensions, the PDP had scheduled a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for October 24, intending to elect a substantive national chairman to complete the tenure of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu. Under this arrangement, Damagum was expected to revert to his position as National Vice Chairman (North). According to Punch, the move to remove Damagum has split the PDP governors, with the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, leading six other governors pushing for Damagum’s ouster. With Mohammed are Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke; Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki; Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri; Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara; Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; and Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno. Meanwhile, four other governors, led by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, are opposed to Damagum’s removal. Others with Makinde are Governors Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, and Agbu Kefas of Taraba State. However, two out of the 13 governors are neutral. They are Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State.

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    ENUGU GOVT TO LAUGH N20B STATE SECURITY TRUST FUND

    GRID COLLAPSE, A NATIONAL SHAME, TESTAMENT OF LEADERSHIP FAILURE – PETER OBI

    PRO-WIKE LAWMAKERS DECLARE PRO-FUBARA LAWMAKERS’ SEATS VACANT

    FG SUMMONS BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER OVER SUNDAY IGBOHO’S YORUBA NATION PETITION TO PRIME MINISTER

    AFCON QUALIFIER: CAF DELISTS NIGERIA, LIBYA

    EFCC INVADES RADIO STATION IN ENUGU, ARRESTS PRESENTER

    • By Dons Eze
    • October 15, 2024
    • 117 views