The South East Nigeria apex socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called for the abolition of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) charged with conducting local government elections.
This is coming as the organization described the ruling of the Supreme Court on local government autonomy, on Thursday, as victory for democracy.
In a statement signed by the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the group stated that the ruling has put an end to “unchecked control and mismanagement of local government funds by state governors”.
Ohananeze said to ensure transparency, the Independence, the National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be charged with conducting local government elections.
Isiguzoro said giving INEC legal backing to conduct local government elections would end governors manipulating SIECs to rig council elections for their loyalists.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo applauds this decision, as it puts an end to the unchecked control and mismanagement of Local Government funds by State Governors.
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“The Federal Government must collaborate with the National Assembly to empower INEC to oversee the entire process nationwide.
“This is essential to curb the long-standing impunity and corruption perpetuated by State Governors, thereby ensuring that Local Government funds are utilized for the benefit of the communities they serve.
“This will ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness in the electoral process, preventing Governors from manipulating State Independent Electoral Commissions to place their loyalists in positions of power for their personal gain,” the statement read.
Ohanaeze further called on South East governors to embrace the judgement of the Supreme Court and proceed with conducting local council elections across their states.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo urges Southeast Governors to embrace the Supreme Court’s ruling and act in accordance with it.
“By organizing free, fair, and credible Local Government elections in the region’s 95 LGAs, the Governors can contribute to strengthening democratic governance and addressing security challenges at the grassroots level.“
