Stakeholders in Anambra State, including civil society groups, political party leaders, community leaders, media, and women’s groups, have urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to expedite the process of conducting local government elections in the state.
This call was made during a one-day engagement organized by the Africa Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) and Strengthening Transparency, Accountability in Governance, and Electoral Process (STAGE), in collaboration with various civil society groups.
Itia Otabor, Director of Strategy at Centre LSD, emphasized the need for local government elections, citing the desire of most Anambra people for elected local government leadership, rather than the recurring appointment of transition committees every three months.
Otabor noted that this practice is unconstitutional and called on the governor to fulfill his promise of conducting the elections.
One of the key steps towards this goal, according to Otabor, is the constitution of the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC).
He highlighted the importance of accountability, stating, “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.”
Similarly, Mr. Chris Azor, the coordinator of Anambra State Civil Society Network (ASCONET), expressed concern over the delay in conducting local government elections.
He highlighted that the absence of elected local government officials has led to missed opportunities for partnership with development partners.
Azor emphasized the need for elected leaders in the local government system, stating, “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 also criticized the continued payment of salaries to workers in the State Independent Electoral Commission who are not actively engaged in election-related activities, calling it a misuse of public funds.
He urged the government to engage these workers in preparations for the impending local government elections.
The stakeholders emphasized the importance of accountability and urged Governor Soludo to take immediate steps towards conducting local government elections in Anambra State.
They also called for the support of the media in holding the government accountable for its promises.
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