The Progressive Students’ Movement (PSM), a pan-African students’ group, on Monday urged the National Assembly to pass a law preventing governors from conducting local government elections.
In a statement issued in Enugu, PSM President Bestman Okereafor emphasized the importance of the financial autonomy granted to local governments for it to make a meaningful impact.
The Supreme Court, in a judgment delivered on Thursday, mandated the Federal Government to start direct payment of monthly allocations into local councils’ accounts.
Okereafor lauded the Supreme Court’s decision, calling it a landmark judgment with significant implications for grassroots governance.
“This judgment will help strengthen our democracy, uphold our constitutional rights, and enhance the ideals of local governments regarding financial autonomy,” he said. “It will counter the backwardness caused by governors frequently appointing caretaker chairmen and councillors through their state electoral commissions.”
He praised Hon Justice Emmanuel Agim for his commitment to freedom, equity, and social justice, saying, “May God bless him for standing with the people.”
PSM called on the National Assembly to urgently enact legislation preventing state governments from conducting local government elections, advocating for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take over this responsibility through its zonal and state offices.
“Leaving the conduct of local government elections in the hands of state governors, who oppose the Supreme Court judgment, means they will still control the local government chairmen,” Okereafor argued. “Governors will want to dictate who gets what and how finances are spent in the councils.”
Okereafor commended the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, for his dedication in pursuing the case to its conclusion in the interest of the Nigerian masses. He also praised President Bola Tinubu for upholding due process and the rule of law by not interfering in the judicial process.
“We believe the Supreme Court judgment will significantly improve the economy of our people at the grassroots,” he stated. “We urge our youths to contest in local government elections in their respective states to renew lost hope.”
PSM’s statement highlights the importance of transparent, fair, and accountable local government elections to ensure the autonomy and proper functioning of local councils in Nigeria.
