Chijioke Edeoga, the Labour Party candidate in the 2023 Enugu State governorship election, has called on the Attorney General of the Federation to initiate moves to empower the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct local government elections in Nigeria. This follows the recent Supreme Court judgment affirming autonomy for local councils in the country.
Edeoga argued that while Nigerians welcomed the judgment, it would be ineffectual without a corresponding amendment to guarantee fairer and freer council elections. He urged the National Assembly to isolate and fast-track the amendment of critical sections of the Constitution, particularly Section 197 (1)(b) which created state INEC, and Section 153 (1) which should be amended to empower INEC to conduct local government elections.
Edeoga stressed that an Executive Bill should be initiated by the Attorney General's office to excise Section 197 (1)(b) and amend Section 153 (1) to vest INEC with the powers to conduct local government elections. He called for immediate attention to be given to these amendments to achieve quick passage and Presidential assent.
0 Comments