Sidebar

Exclusive Reports

29
Fri, Mar

Uncategorisedx
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

The bill to grant full autonomy for the Local Government Council election has passed a second reading in the House of Reps, the bill when finally approved will allow INEC to conduct the election for Chairman, Vice Chairman and councillors of the Local government.

The bill which was sponsored by, Dachung Musa Bagos (PDP Plateau) titled “A Bill for an Act to alter Section 7 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and for related matters” the lawmaker opined that the bill will instil democracy at the Local Government level and make laws that will guarantee for periodic elections at the local level.


Accordingly, the bill seeks to provide for election and tenure of office for Local Government Chairmen/Councillors and also to prescribe the modalities for exercising legislative powers of the local council.


Bagos further disclosed the bill among other things will alter section 7 (1) of the principal act by substituting section 7 (1) with new section 7 (1) (a) – (2) to provide for the office of the chairman and vice-chairman of local government as stipulated in the bill.”


The provisions according to him include, “qualification and disqualification of chairman, declaration of assets and liabilities, oath of office and election of chairman. Others include nomination and election of vice-chairman, removal of chairman or vice-chairman from office, tenure of office of chairman and election of councillors.”


He disclosed the current provisions in the constitution were ambiguous and liable for abuses over time because there were no clear-cut guidelines.


He quoted, Section 7 (1) of the 1999 Constitution which states that “the system of local government by democratically elected local government councils is under this constitution guaranteed, and accordingly the government of every state shall, subject to section 8 of this constitution, ensure their existence under a law, which provides for the establishment, structure, composition, finance and functions of such councils.”


He argued that when the new bill is passed into law, it will end impunity from the governors where they appoint and fire the council chairmen at will as is being currently practiced.


Subsequently, the bill was put to vote by the speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila and was unanimously passed.