By Okechukwu Onuegbu
A lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Dr Henry Duru, Friday, called for a review of Local Government system to be at par with other tiers of government rather than State governors' instrument for reward of political partymen and supporters.
According to Duru, the thirty six State governors had reduced LG areas into pseudo democracy through unhealthy interferences such as non-conduct of election, use of caretaker committees, ensuring that only party members and loyalties were appointed as State Independent electoral commission or win election at the third tier of government.
Duru made the observation as a keynote speaker at Stakeholders forum organised by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) Abuja in partnership with International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre (IPCRC), in collaboration with Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, under the topic 'Strengthening Transparency, Accountability in Governance and Electoral Process (STAGE).
" In fact, the governor's have turned the LG system to an instrument of political patronage for reward of loyal partymen and other supporters. Thus, these appointed or supposedly elected officials are mere appendages to the governors which makes mockery of the constitutionally envisaged democratic functioning of this tier of government.
"Another factor to be signposted in our quest for a viable and democratically functional LG system is the financial interest of State Governors in local governments. This has been seen as one of the variables that have nurtured this culture of reluctance to allow genuine democracy at this level of government. Appointing LG officials or meddling in their election enables the governors to maintain control over the finances of the local governments.
"This leads us to the issue of accountability and transparency in the LG system. A lot of things seem shrouded at that level of government as there is no robust mechanism for checks and balances. This is largely given that, that tier of government has not been exactly constituted as a democratic unit. A situation where state governors have emasculated the financial system of the LG system would give little room for transparency," he maintained.
Speaking at the occasion, the Director of Strategy, African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD), Abuja, Itia Otabor, explained that essence of the stakeholders forum was to bring together key players to brainstorm on importance of conducting LG election in Anambra State as first step to rejuvenate that interest.
"Our deliberation will not only be fruitful but a cornerstone towards the conduct of Local Government election in Anambra State. LG election is a constitutional matter not a favour. It is enshrined in section 7 of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria. The constitution stated that there must be democratically elected Local government officers. We are here to rally round support and partnership to see it happen," he added.
On his part, the Chairman, International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre (IPCR), Awka, Prince Chris Azor, observed that it was unfortunate that Anambra State which is light of the nation was lagging behind with the conduct of Local Government election.
"The LG election is very important. We want to encourage and suggest to the government on how best to get it done. We are not partisans. Our philosophy is to put people at stretch. Any government that takes care of the citizens and security have done a pass mark. And Local government election is one of the means of taking good care of the citizens because it encourages citizens participation in governance from the grassroots, " he noted.
Responding, the Anambra State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs Chiamaka Nnake, represented by Ms Ogochukwu Oji, reassured the governor's resolve to conduct Local government election, noting that Soludo was a man of his words and lover of due process.
Contributing, the member representing Awka North LGA and Chairman, Anambra State House of Assembly committee on Local Government, Hon. Chimezie Ikwunne, explained that the State legislators would not only ensure that adequate provisions were made for effective conduct of Council poll but also work in harmony with the State executive to entrench peaceful and transparent running affairs of the LG.
A communique which was raised at the event attended by traditional rulers, civil society organisations, government representatives, Journalists, the clergy, political party leaders, among others, appealed to governor Soludo to conduct an election in the third tier of government because it was long overdue. Anambra State conducted LG election twice; in 1999 and January 2014 specifically.