JUST IN: INEC Speaks On Conducting Local Government Polls
The Chairman of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State, Fatai Ayoola, has faulted calls for INEC to take over conduct of local government elections.
Ayoola made his position known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.
It reports that State Independent Electoral Commissions, SIECs, currently conduct council polls.
The calls for INEC to take over conduct of council polls followed a recent Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local government.
Those calling for the takeover believe that it would prevent state governors from imposing their candidates on councils.
Mr Ayoola told said that the call lacked merit as INEC had never conducted a rancour-free poll in Nigeria to warrant such a call.
“Tell me which election INEC has conducted without a controversy,” he said.
According to him, it is irreconcilable that some Nigerians are clamouring for state police and true federalism and, at the same time, seeking abolition of SIECs.
He urged Nigerians to suggest how to improve conduct of local government elections rather than agitating for INEC to do it.
“It will only get better, it is a gradual process,” he said.
He, however, supported calls for true federalism and creation of state police, saying that councils could not be taken away from states.
NAN reports that the Supreme Court held that the 774 local governments in the country should independently manage their funds.
The verdict will enable local governments to directly receive federal allocations from the federation account.
With the judgment, local governments can also manage their finances, collect revenues and allocate resources without state governments’ interferences.
