Title: Chukwuma Soludo questioned over the holding of local elections in Anambra
Introduction :
The governor of Nigeria’s Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, is under fire from the African Center for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Center LSD). The non-governmental organization recently reminded Soludo of his promise to prioritize the holding of local elections, pointing out that it was almost two years since he took office without this promise being kept. This article examines the concerns raised by the LSD Center and analyzes the urgent need to hold these elections to respect the constitution and strengthen local democracy.
The absence of democracy at the local level:
While Nigeria has enjoyed uninterrupted democratic government at the federal and state levels since 1999, the situation is much different at the local level, which represents the third tier of government. In Anambra State, for example, the last local government election was in January 2014, under former Governor Peter Obi. His successor, Willie Obiano, failed to hold local elections during his eight years in office, and the state is preparing to enter its tenth year of failing to meet this constitutional requirement.
The need for democratic local elections:
The LSD Center emphasizes that the use of designated interim committees to manage local authorities is a constitutional aberration. Indeed, the constitution provides that local officials must be democratically elected. No matter how effective those appointed by the governor, this is a violation of the constitution. The organization therefore urges Soludo to respect its campaign commitments and organize these local elections.
Mobilization of stakeholders to put pressure on the governor:
The LSD Center, with the participation of civil society, traditional leaders, academia, government officials and the media, recently held a meeting with the objective of mobilizing stakeholders to put in place strategies to ensure the functioning of a democratically elected local administration in Anambra State. The organization calls on Soludo to immediately reconstitute the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) and provide the necessary funds for the conduct of the elections.
Conclusion :
In conclusion, it is crucial that Governor Chukwuma Soludo honors his promise to hold local government elections in Anambra State. Failure to comply with this constitutional requirement undermines local democracy and creates a situation of instability in local administrations. It is time for Soludo to implement its commitment and allow the people of Anambra to choose their local representatives in a democratic manner. Stakeholder mobilization and media attention are essential to put pressure on the governor and ensure these crucial elections for democracy at the local level take place.