Nigeria’s Senate has sought financial sanction against any local government council in the country without any democratically elected government.
Straightnews gathered that the state governors who set up State Electoral Commission and put their cronies usually install their lackeys as Caretaker or Transition Committee members for one year to ‘warm’ the councils for them pending the election of ‘loyal’ councils’ chairmen and councilors to plot second term agenda for them.
The resolution was sponsored by Senator Abba Moro, the Senate Minority Leader on the urgent need to halt the erosion of democracy vis a vis the dissolution of elected Councils in Benue State.
Also read
- Senate on NNPCL’s neck over N12trn expenditure on moribund refineries
- Nigerian Senate bars first-timer from Senate Presidency, Deputy Presidency
- Senate trashes Tinubu’s Request For Military Intervention In Niger Republic
The Senators asked the Federal Government to withhold statutory allocations to any local government councils in the country without a democratically elected government.
The upper chamber unanimously resolved that this move would deter the dictatorial tendencies of any state Governor.
The lawmakers argued that the placement of Caretaker Committees to replace elected councils is an aberration, undemocratic and a breach of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
Senator Victor Umeh (representing Anambra Senatorial district), who seconded the motion lamented that the issue has continued to undermine the local government system in Nigeria.
The Senate, therefore, condemned the arbitrary dissolution of democratically elected local government councils in Benue and other states of the federation.
They urged the Benue state Governor, Hyacinth Alia to adhere to his oath of office to obey the rule of law, review the constitution of caretaker committees and reinstate the elected councils.
However, the Senate continues with the debate on the merits and general principles of the 2024 Appropriation Bill.
