The Nigerian Senate on Thursday urged the Federal Government not to give allocations to States with undemocratically elected Local Government Chairmen.
The Senate made the request after a resolution adopted, following a motion by the Senate Minority leader, Abba Moro.
Moro had raised concern over what he describes as sham Local Government elections conducted on Saturday, 5th October 2024. The Senator had described the elections as an abuse of the Constitution.
Moro alleged that in most places, elections took place in the private homes of the chieftains of the ruling party. Thus, making the entire process a mere coronation of candidates of the ruling party. He lamented that those were not a proper election contemplated under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The co-sponsors of the motion, had during the debate, unanimously concurred that there was no election in Benue.
In the ensuing debate, other lawmakers further expressed worry over the lack of transparency and fairness in Local Government elections across the country. They cited examples in Rivers, Edo, Oyo, Akwa Ibom etc. in addition to Benue.
The Senate also condemned the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission’s blatant disregard for democratic principles in the sham Local Government elections of Saturday, October 5.
Lawmakers also asked the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, BSIEC, to conduct elections in those places where elections were not held. They urged the Commission to allow the people to choose the representatives of their choice.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, also mooted the idea of a national dialogue. He pointed to the need for a national dialogue, with a view to changing the narrative.
The Senate President maintained that the sham of LG elections transcends party lines. He asserted that the National Assembly is poised to change the situation for the better.
Akpabio used the occasion to call out the Edo state Governor, Godwin Obaseki. He asserted that the Governor has no respect for the rule of law.
The Senate President made reference to Obaseki’s refusal to swear in duly elected members of the State House of Assembly for four years. This, he said, is in spite of court orders to that effect.
source: Channels TV
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