The Senate on Thursday asked the Federal Government to withhold allocations to local government councils where elections were conducted similar to the appointment of caretaker committees.
The position followed the Senate’s condemnation of the local government election by the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission.
The senators alleged blatant disregard for democratic principles during the LG election on October 5, 2024, which the lawmakers described as a sham.
The resolution came after a motion by Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, and co-sponsored by Senators Titus Zam, Emmanuel Udende and Tony Nwoye, who fumed against the conduct of local governments elections in some states.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate, Moro highlighted that voters in Benue State and elsewhere waited for hours on election day without seeing election materials or officials at many polling stations.
He criticised the election for allegedly taking place in the private homes of ruling party leaders, turning the process into a mere coronation of their candidates.
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Senator Emmanuel Udende from the ruling party in Benue State, the All Progressives Congress, concurred that no genuine LG election took place in Benue State, emphasising his commitment to truth over party loyalty.
Senator Titus Zam described the election as a charade and a political crime, lamenting that such practices undermine Nigeria’s ongoing struggles for democracy.
He pointed to Akwa Ibom State, where even the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, only secured his local government in his state.
The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, remarked on the consistent lack of free and fair elections at the local level, noting that many citizens do not vote, and results are often announced well in advance.
Jibrin characterised the situation as a national and democratic calamity, calling for constitutional amendments to empower an independent body such as the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct elections, echoing practices from 1995.
He emphasised that the National Assembly cannot address these issues alone and that state governors must also support any changes, especially if INEC is to take charge of Local Government Areas Council elections.
After intense debate, the Senate agreed to initiate an open national dialogue with stakeholders, particularly state governors, and to meet with President Bola Tinubu.
The Senate condemned the Benue State Local Government Council election and called for fresh polls in areas where they were alleged not to have taken place.
The Senate’s resolution followed intense debate on the full implementation of LG financial autonomy during which the Senate spent over two hours on the issue.
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