The recent local government council elections in southeastern Nigeria have exposed the ugly underbelly of democracy in the region. State governors, armed with immense power and influence, have hijacked the electoral process, imposing their preferred candidates on the people. This blatant disregard for democratic principles has rendered the elections a mere sham.
The root of this problem lies in the governors’ reluctance to relinquish control over local government allocations from the federal government. With the signing of the Local Government Autonomy (LGA) bill by President Tinubu, governors fear losing their grip on these funds and potentially facing opposition from unloyal leaders at the grassroots level .To maintain their stranglehold, they manipulate the state independent electoral commissions, orchestrating elections that are devoid of transparency and fairness.
In Ebonyi State, the APC swept the polls, while in Imo, Enugu, and Anambra states, major opposition parties declined to participate, leaving the ruling party to orchestrate a selection rather than an election. Rivers State followed suit, with the governor citing Anambra’s council election as a precedent for his own state’s undemocratic process. The outcome was predictable: the APP won 22 out of 23 Local Government Areas.
The Constitution and Local Government Autonomy
Section 7(1) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution guarantees a democratically elected local government system . The Fourth Schedule outlines the roles of local governments, emphasizing their autonomy and accountability to the people. However, the reality on the ground tells a different story.
A Call to Action
As Abia State prepares for its council election on November 4th, the question remains: will the government uphold democratic principles or succumb to the same undemocratic tendencies? Will the citizens of Abia State continue to fight for their voices to be heard?
To all state governors in Nigeria, I pose this question: if INEC were to conduct the 2027 elections in the same manner as you have conducted your council elections, would you accept the results? Or would you cry foul, taking to the media to protest the outcome?
It’s time for Nigerians to demand better from their leaders. We must reclaim our democracy and ensure that power truly resides with the people.
Kalu innocent Jonah
Progressive Abia Youths
Bende LGA chapter