The Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC has sued for the conduct of local government election in Cross River State, southern Nigeria to entrench democratic governance at the grassroots level.
The council led by its state chairman, Mr. Effiom Edet said that the call has become expedient due to the lack of proper administration of the 18 local government areas, which has created a lacuna and disconnect between the third tier of government and other tiers.
Edet urged the Cross River State governor, Senator Bassey Otu to ensure that the reconstituted CROSIEC conducts the election before the end of December 2024.
He said, ‘in line with the ruling of the Supreme Court on local government autonomy, IPAC demands that the governor, Senator Bassey Otu, conducts the long awaited local government elections before the end of December, 2024.’
IPAC, who described the interim administration at the local government under the Head of Local Government Administration, HOLGA as constitutional bastards, emphasised, ‘failure to
conduct the election promptly, the Council will not hesitate to ask the federal government to stop sending allocations to the 18 local government areas in the state.’
CROSIEC Bill
IPAC has also urged Governor Otu to expeditiously assent to the amended Cross River Independent Electoral Commission, CROSIEC Bill passed by the State House of Assembly.
Edet recalled that IPAC had earlier refuted the law passed by the State House of Assembly for not conducting a public hearing before passing the bill.
He said, ‘IPAC had earlier refuted the law passed by the Assembly, insisting that more stakeholders’ engagement is undertaken before passing such an all-important bill into law.
‘In response to the timely call by IPAC, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem invited the leadership of all political parties and other critical stakeholders to a public hearing on the amended bill,’ IPAC chairman stated.
He continued, ‘during the interaction, IPAC was able to agree with the House of Assembly on
the review of specific clauses in the bill. The amended portions now reflect the broader consensus of critical stakeholders, thus allaying the fears of political parties in the state ahead of the elections.’
While reiterating that the CROSIEC Law as amended has been sent to Governor Otu for assent, Edet appreciated the State Assembly for the swift passage of the Bill, stressing ‘it demonstrates their commitment to deepening democracy in the state.’
Meanwhile, IPAC has passed a vote of confidence on CROSIEC, urging the Commission to release the election time table without further hesitation.
The council called on the commission to ensure the conduct of a free, fair, transparent, credible and peaceful local government election and urged political parties as well as eligible voters to participate effectively in order to restore democracy at the grassroots.
Source: Voice of Nigeria