News Agency of Nigeria
LG chairman sues Niger Govt. over alleged tenure reduction

LG chairman sues Niger Govt. over alleged tenure reduction

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By Taiye Agbaje

Alhaji Aminu Yakubu-Ladan, the Chairman of Chanchaga Local Government Area (LGA) in Niger, has sued the state government over alleged reduction of tenure of local government chairmen and councillors.

 

Yakubu-Ladan, in the suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, sought an order restraining the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC) and its co-defendants from conducting the scheduled LGAs’ election until the expiration of their tenure.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NSIEC had fixed Nov. 1 for the conduct of the local government poll across the state.

 

However, the plaintiff, in the suit, named the Attorney-General of Niger State, the house of assembly, NSIEC, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Inspector-General (I-G) of Police as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.

 

The chairman is challenging the constitutionality of the Niger State Local Government Law, 2001 which seeks to reduce the tenure of local government chairmen and councillors from four years to three years.

 

Yakubu-Ladan, in the originating summons marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1370/2025, dated July 10 but filed July 11 by his counsel, Chris Udeoyibo, sought eight questions for determination.

 

The chairman questions whether the state government can enforce inconsistent local government law, 2001 (as amended) which clashed with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2022.

 

“Should Niger State Local Government Law Section 29 (2) be declared unconstitutional for clashing with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2022,” he said.

 

The plaintiff seeks a declaration that four years tenure for local government chairmen and councillors is constitutionally guaranteed by virtue of the constitution and the Electoral Act, 2022.

 

The suit also challenged NSIEC preparation for local government elections slated for Nov. 1.

 

The plaintiff, therefore, seeks an order restraining the defendants from the elections on Nov. 1 until the expiration of four years tenure for chairmen and councillors.

 

The suit also seeks to restrain INEC and the I-G from providing logistical support and security protection for the election.

 

Yakubu-Ladan argued that the state’ local government law, 2001 is inconsistent with Section 7 of the constitution and Section 018 and 150 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

 

The suit is yet to be assigned to a judge as at the time of the report.(NAN)(www.nannews.com.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Lagos state says has no issue of LG autonomy

Lagos state says has no issue of LG autonomy

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By Aderonke Ojediran

The Lagos State Government has reiterated that the issue surrounding the local government autonomy was not applicable in the state.
It said that the council chairmen had unfettered access to their federal allocations.
Mr Bolaji Robert, the  Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, stated this during the Ministerial Press Briefing marking the second year of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term, held at Alausa, Ikeja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Supreme Court, in a landmark judgement on July 11 2024, affirmed the financial autonomy of Nigeria’s 774 local government councils.
The court had granted them the authority to manage their funds, collect revenues, and allocate resources without interference from state governments.
The ruling was hailed as a major step toward strengthening local government independence and improving grassroots governance.
In spite of this, several state governors have opposed the ruling, resulting in delays in its implementation over the past year.
Robert said: “The issue of Local Government autonomy is alien to the government of Lagos State. Our local governments are receiving their funds without hindrance. We do not owe any local government.
“This is why Lagos local governments are ahead of others in terms of roads, healthcare, and infrastructure.
 “Investigations will show that the state has no involvement with local government funds since this administration began.”
On traditional rulers in Lagos, Robert disclosed that since Sanwo-Olu’s administration commenced, 50 Obas had been installed, including 17 first-class.
He highlighted the installation of Oba Omogbolahan Lawal, the Oniru of Iru Kingdom, as a notable example, noting that further appointments were underway.
Also, Robert announced that families of deceased staff from the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and Local Government have received N775.07 million in insurance benefits to support the bereaved.
“The ministry has continued to engage with council chairmen through periodic meetings and strategic tours across the 57 Councils, promoting adherence to administrative guidelines.”
”In the past year, the Ministry approved 85 capital projects for local governments and local council development areas (LCDAs), and issued N775,071,226.16 as insurance benefits to 271 beneficiaries.
”To ensure due process, the ministry issued 14 circulars regulating council activities, 43 special licences, 12 church licences, and supplied 176 marital documents for conducting marriages within the State’s LGAs and LCDAs.
”These efforts underscore the administration’s commitment to strengthening local governance and social welfare across Lagos State, ” he said.
On rural development, the commissioner said the ministry provided 80 water and sanitation projects, while it also issued 61 approval letters of state recognition to traditional rulers in the state.
He also announced a comprehensive plan to significantly advance agriculture and community development through several key initiatives.
The commissioner said that more than 2,000 young people and women farmers were receiving extensive training in aquaculture and digital skills, aimed at empowering them with new capabilities.
Robert said, ”The government is supplying crucial tools and resources to strengthen food production, including land and essential equipment, to two hundred farms.”
He said the initiatives highlight the state’s dedication to fostering economic prosperity, enhancing living standards, and cultivating robust, resilient communities. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Esenvosa Izah / Ekemini Ladejobi
Stakeholders canvass Commission for LG elections

Stakeholders canvass Commission for LG elections

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By Peter Okolie

Stakeholders in Imo have advocated for the establishment of a federal commission to oversee local government elections across the country.

 

According to them, this will promote a more transparent, fair, and credible electoral process at the local government level.

 

The stakeholders made the call in Owerri at a town hall meeting organised by SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, with funding from European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU SDGN).

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholders included members of civil society groups, traditional and religious leaders, election management bodies, women and youth groups, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and security agencies.

 

Speaking at the occasion, the state Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Ichie Ekeh, decried the alleged hijacking of electoral process at the local government level by political parties.

 

“Part of the reasons we have voter apathy is because ruling parties often hijack the process in various states.

 

“Some candidates who took part in the local government elections are unknown and were not allowed for scrutiny by community members,” he said.

 

The traditional ruler of Umuekwure community in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area, Eze George Nwosu, called for the strengthening of institutions to hold politicians accountable.

 

“There is the need to interrogate the leadership recruitment process from the delegate level to elected officials,” he stated.

 

In his own contribution, the Chief Imam of Imo, Sheikh Suleiman Njoku, said rather than emphasising on love for material things, the society should focus more on reviving moral and societal values.

 

On his part, Mr Chimezie Ebosie, from SALTI Initiative, a civil society organisation, urged political parties to step up voter education rather than leaving it for election management bodies alone.

 

To Mr Okechukwu Egwumba, Director, Voter Education and Publicity, Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC), financial independence of electoral management bodies is key to improving electoral system.

 

Also, the Head of Voter Education Department, INEC in Imo, Mrs Emmanuella Ben-Opara, restated the commission’s readiness to improve partnership with stakeholders with a view to improving democratic process in the country.

 

Others who spoke at the meeting also advocated for collaborative network with stakeholders and improved advocacy to strengthen the country’s electoral process.

 

They also called for compliance with legal frameworks, prosecution of electoral offenders and establishment of electoral offenders’ commission.

 

Earlier, the National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, Mr Eghosa Erhumwunse, said the meeting was organised to review previous elections in the state, beginning with the 2023 general elections to the local government polls.

 

Erhumwunse, who was represented by the Consulting Manager of the group, Mr David Gabriel, said the meeting would enable participants to share experiences and proffer solutions to future elections.

 

“Through these dialogues, participants reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful coexistence, active citizen participation, and enhancement of the democratic process in Nigeria,” Erhumwunse said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

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