Stakeholders in Anambra State, consisting of civil society groups, leaders of political parties, community leaders, media and women’s groups, have called on Anambra State governor, Chukwuma Soludo, to quickly conduct local government elections in the state.
They made the call during a one-day engagement convened by the Africa Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), and Strengthening Transparency, Accountability in Governance, and Electoral Process (STAGE), in collaboration with civil society groups.
Itia Otabor, Director of Strategy (Centre LSD), who spoke to journalists during the event, said: “We are here to urge the governor to conduct local government elections in the state.
“Indications show that most Anambra people desire the conduct of local government elections, instead of the renewal of transition committees for local government leadership every three months. This is against the constitution, so we hope that the governor will do what is needful.
“There are statutory matters that have to be done to show that there is hope about the conduct of the election. The first is the constitution of the SIEC (State Independent Electoral Commission).
“The local government election is a promise made by the governor, and it is now for us to hold him accountable, and we need the support of the media.
“We need to remind him of the things he promised. The governor does not need to come overnight and conduct it. He will first constitute the ANSIEC and he can relieve himself of the headache and send the names of the commission members, and they will begin to function.”
On his part, the coordinator of Anambra State Civil Society Network (ASCONET), Mr. Chris Azor, said the non-conduct of local government elections in Anambra State is costing the state partnership with development partners.
“The world is waiting for Anambra State to hold local government elections, and development partners have assured that they are coming in once this is done.
“No matter how you want to embellish it, caretaker committees are not known to the law. The local government system needs to have elected leaders.”
Azor said it is unfortunate that workers in the State Independent Electoral Commission were still collecting salaries and doing no work, insisting that it isn’t good governance to pay workers for doing nothing when they can engage the workers towards the conduct of local government elections.