Anambra State has again failed to conduct  local government election.  The non-conduct of local government election in Anambra State, since 1999 has continued to attract wide condemnations,  not only in the state but all over the country.

Governor Babaginda Aliyu of Niger State, was alleged to have urged Nigerians to exercise their constitutional rights, by forcing out state governors subverting the nation’s constitution, by using caretaker committee chairmen to run LG councils areas.

He made a particular reference to Anambra State when he stated, “I am made to understand that only nine states have elected councils in the country and about 27 states are yet to conduct election into their local government councils.

In fact, there is a state that since 1999 has never had an election.

Why has Anambra State chosen to work at cross purposes with other state governments, when it comes to local government development in the country. No matter their claim over rural development, the essence of creating local governments, which is to bring governance closer to the people, to preserve heritage and common interests of the communities is already defeated in the state.

 The Anambra State government, led by Governor Peter Obi, has not only perfected the act of postponing LG poll every year, but has used it to defraud innocent aspirants of their hard earned money.

 In December, 2010, LG election was postponed after nomination fees had been collected from aspirants.

Last year again, the November, December date became untenable, after the chairmanship aspirants paid a whopping N1 million to pick nomination forms. Governor Peter Obi has been advancing all sorts of excuses why council elections will not hold in the state.

The excuses range from lack of fund, insecurity to new voters card. But he is unmindful of the fact that the same challenges were faced by other state governments who  subsequently conducted local government polls in their states.

Jeff Nkwocha,
www.nigeria-local-government.blogspot.com

Comments (0)

Show/hide comments

Show/hide comment form

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment