LG autonomy:  Kalu wants INEC to conduct polls

The senator representing Abia North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Orji Kalu, has commended the Supreme Court’s judgement on the autonomy of local governments, while appealing to the Federal Government to consider using Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct local government elections in the country.

This came as he called on the Federal Government to allow the Independent National Electoral Commission instead of the State Independent Electoral Commission to conduct local government elections.

In a landmark judgement on Thursday, the apex court in its lead judgement read by Justice Emmanuel Agim, had ordered the Federal Government to immediately start the direct payment of local government funds to the latter’s exclusive accounts.

Reacting through a statement, Kalu who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatisation, noted, “The Supreme Court judgement on the autonomy of local governments is one that should be hailed and applauded, especially for the courage and independence shown by the judiciary.

“The Supreme Court being a policy court did what is right and beneficial to the society. While it may look like interference in the states’ affairs, we should accept that all the calls for end of insecurity, kidnappings and banditry have just begun with this autonomy granted to the local governments”.

The former governor of Abia State maintained, “When the local governments are in total control of their funds, there is a flow of resources and activities in the local areas. For instance, when I was governor between1999-2007, the autonomy of my local government chairmen was a major breakthrough to the success of my administration. The Local Government Chairmen built roads and gave contracts to local contractors. The Chairmen were able to take full responsibility for what happened in their local government and crime was reduced to the barest minimum.”

Kalu used the opportunity to appeal to the Federal Government, “I will also appeal to the Federal Government to consider making a case for local government elections to be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) instead of the State Independent Electoral Commission ( SIEC) . This will further strengthen the autonomy of the local governments and reduce the pressure on the state governments. When governance gets to the grassroots, it becomes easier to identify and hold the leaders responsible and accountable.”

He further made an appeal to the state governors in the country, “I sincerely appeal to the 36 state governors to accept this judgement as a victory for democracy, victory for themselves and victory for all Nigerians”, and commended the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi SAN and all the Supreme Court Justices that played a role in “this landmark achievement” for Nigerians.