The people of Anambra in South-East Nigeria last experienced what is called democratic elections at the Local Government Council level over 10 years ago.
Despite the promise of Chukwuma Soludo in his inaugural speech as Governor on March 17, 2022 to change that political narrative, the 21 local councils are still run by appointed Transition Committee Chairmen, TCC, raising questions on the democratic rights of the citizens to choose their leaders at that tier of government.
It was on 11th of January 2014, in the twilight of the Governor Peter Obi administration that the people of Anambra State last filed out to exercise their democratic rights of electing officials at the Local Government Council level.
The eight years of the Governor Willie Obiano administration never showed any interest in conducting council polls, and his successor, incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo appears to be taking that path, with over two years in office.
On March 17, 2022 when Professor Soludo took the oath of office, he promised to conduct Local Government elections within six months, but two years and two months after, Soludo has not kept his promise to the people.
Instead, he is running the 21 local councils by hand picking Transition Committee Chairmen, TCC using an unfashionable patten of three months tenure to change them.
Residents express diverse opinions on the use of non-elected system to administer the local councils which is the tier of government closest to the people.
A human rights activist, Osita Obi and political analyst, Ugochukwu Emeh are concerned that Governor Soludo has not walked his talk on the conduct of Local Council elections, calling on the people to question the government.
But, the Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Collins Nwabunwanne has put in perspective the use of Transition Committee Chairmen at the Local Government level, saying government was putting processes in place for the conduct of Local Council elections.
He explains that an Executive Bill which has already passed through Second Reading is before the State House of Assembly, noting that the proposed legislation seeks to establish the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission and to provide for the conduct of elections at the Local Government level which will automatically repeal the 2007 State Electoral law.
An Awka-based lawyer, Chibunna Okoli-Akirika is not persuaded by the words of Governor Soludo’s appointee, rather he wants a holistic approach to what he terms a national problem, demanding for urgent amendment to Section 7 of the 1999 Nigeria Constitution.
Observers say, the Anambra State Electoral Bill 2024 may just be an indicator that the Governor Chukwuma Soludo-led administration is working towards a possible conduct of the long awaited Local Government Council elections in the State.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
