The Chairman of the Cross River State Independent Election Commission, CROSIEC, Dr Mike Ushie, has opined that the caretaker transition committees inaugurated by some states are illegal. However, in this brief interview with DAILY POST, Ushie maintained that only a state governor can decide when to conduct local government council elections. Excerpts…
When will CROSIEC conduct an election in Cross River State?
I don’t know when the local government council election will be held in Cross River State. The state governor has the final say on when and how to conduct the election. You know he is the one to finance the election.
Even though we are said to be independent, yet we are not altogether independent as people think. As you know, the Supreme Court affirmed his gubernatorial election a few days ago. Now we expect that he should settle down and begin to discuss issues surrounding the LG election. So when the state governor, Senator Bassey Otu gives proclamation, that is when we shall proceed.
What can you say about some states that have constituted Caretaker Transition Committees in LGAs?
Such committees are illegal. However, it also depends on the time frame given for such committees. But if the time is given to them to prepare for the election, I don’t think anything is quite wrong. In Cross River, we have heads of LGA (HOLGA) running the councils.
What does the law say about it?
The law provides for 150 days. Check section 103 sub section 3 of the Electoral Act. If it goes beyond the period of election, that is when worries set in. The 150 days are when you commence electoral activities.
Is it true that funds have been budgeted for the election?
Yes. We have even defended it in the state House of Assembly. It is captured in the 2024 budget conspicuously. But I cannot presently disclose how much has been earmarked. This is Senator Otu’s first budget. I expect that he will want to implement it effectively.
What if the governor decides not to make any pronouncement about the LG election?
I cannot preempt him. Governor Otu is a democrat who has spent time in both the lower and upper legislative chambers of the National Assembly.
Therefore, I believe that he will want to play by the rules. Going by his body language, I believe the LG election will soon be held in the State.