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In fragrant disregard for the express provision of the 1999 Constitution ( as amended) which guarantees only a system of local government by Democratically elected government councils in Nigeria as provided by S.7 (1) of the Constitution. In like vain the Kogi State local government law 2000 ( as amended) does not provide for any appointment of chief administrators. The setting up of the Team for the local government in kogi state by Gov. Yahaya Bello is a mere ruse aimed at delaying and postponing indefinitely the holding of local government elections in the state. While unelected and unaccountable individuals are placed in charge of the affairs of the local governments.
The extent of this illegality has been frowned at by the Courts as envisaged in various decided cases which includes Haddy Ametuo V. The executive Governor of Kogi State where page 30 of the said judgement reads ” I therefore have no option than to make an order that will enhance the provisiona of S.7 (1) of the Constitution which makes it mandatory that the system of local government is to be by Democratic means. I hereby make an order directing the defendant to fix a date for the conduct of the local government elections within 45 days from today “. Other decisions include the case of Hon. Muhammed Onusagba V. Kogi state government (2002) NNLR 691
In view of the foregoing, when will this stop? When will we have local government elected officials that will be accountable to the people who mandated them to be there? The administrators hand-picked by kogi state government today does not represent the interest of the people but the interest of the power that be at lokoja.
What we are experiencing is worse than any military regime.
We call on Governor Yahaya Bello to as a matter of urgency, call for a local government election in kogi state as it is being done in other states. This will allow a proper decentralization of power in the state to the benefit of the people at the grassroots.
Comrade Maji Isah
A political analyst and critic
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