The Supreme Court verdict on local government autonomy has ignited a call for the scrapping of the state independent electoral commission.
Since the ruling, public discourse has shifted towards the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct elections in the 774 local government areas.
Sceptics had assumed the bold attempt by the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN to drag the state governments to court would end in defeat.
However, the historic ruling of the apex court on July 11, 2024, declared unconstitutional the refusal of the state governments to allow the financial autonomy of the third tier of government and the arbitrary removal of democratically elected council chairmen.
Following the judgement, about 13 governors have reportedly rushed to conduct LG polls.
While analysts commend the federal government for taking the bold step to free local councils coffers and elected chairmen from the intrusion and manipulation of overbearing state governors, they contend that one more step needs to be taken and that will give the local governments their overdue full autonomy.
Divergent Views
In the wake of the Supreme Court verdict, Nigerians in all walks of life including political analysts have urged the federal government to push for the replacement of the State Independent Electoral Commission with the Independent Electoral Commission.
Senator Orji Kalu, the senator representing Abia North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, has appealed to the Federal Government to consider making a case for local government elections to be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) instead of the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC).
He said: “This will further strengthen the autonomy of the local governments and reduce the pressure on the state governments. When governance gets to the grassroots, it becomes easier to identify and hold the leaders responsible and accountable,”
Senator Sunday Karimi, Chairman of the Senate Services Committee and representative of Kogi West, has revealed that the National Assembly is set to initiate a move to transfer the responsibility of conducting local government elections to INEC.
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has also called for an urgent constitutional amendment that would ensure INEC are responsible for conducting local government polls.
“The amendment should specify that in the conduct of the local council elections, the INEC should be made to follow similar patterns and methodologies that are adopted in the United Kingdom by the Electoral Commission of Great Britain, with local electoral services teams embedded within the larger framework of the INEC established and made to function optimally,” Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the National Coordinator, HURIWA advised.
However, Dr Ahmed Raji (SAN), a former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) disagrees that the replacement of SIECs with INEC will make a difference in how the governors order the former around.
“Where is the assurance that INEC will fare better? I think we need to deepen democracy. If there is anything the state commission is doing that is not proper, I think we need to block the loopholes and see that they are up and running because over-centralisation has its own problems.” Dr. Raji warned.
‘What will happen to SIECs staffers?’
As the calls for the abolishment of SIEC thicken, some have raised concerns about the fate of their staffers should INEC start conducting local government polls.
“Analysts suggest that if the constitutional amendments are made and INEC takes over from SIECs, SIEC staffers will likely be integrated into INEC, minimizing the risk of job losses.
However, the fear of job loss may still linger among SIEC staffers. As the debate rages on, it is clear that the fate of SIEC staffers will be a critical aspect of the discussion.
The Federal Government and INEC will need to address this concern to ensure a smooth transition.
