The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared that despite the Supreme Court’s judgment granting financial autonomy to local government councils, the true liberation of local governments from the dominance of state governors can only be achieved through the abolition of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs).
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Dr. Ralphs Okey Nwosu, the ADC National Chairman, emphasized that the control exercised by governors over state and local governments is a major hindrance to the development of democracy in Nigeria.
He made these remarks during a colloquium organized for ADC members in the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Wednesday.
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Nwosu argued that for the political process to be credible, governors must not have the power to manipulate local government autonomy through SIECs.
He stated, “State governors have laid waste to our democracy. They have reduced our intellectuals to nothing. Commissioners are like messengers; it is shameful to be a commissioner in Nigeria.”
The National Chairman highlighted recent local government elections in Delta and Adamawa States, where, despite the Supreme Court ruling, the ruling parties in these states won all the chairmanship and councillorship positions.
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He insisted that for genuine democracy at the local government level, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should conduct all elections in the country.
Nwosu urged ADC members to transform the party from a “government-in-waiting” to a governing party, stating, “ADC cannot continue to be a party in waiting while the country bleeds.”
He assured that the party would work to end the practice of making Abuja an “amorphous state” where appointed ministers threaten elected officials.
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“Abuja is a melting point for all Nigerians and foreigners. It does not belong to anybody. ADC will remodel Abuja,” he said.
He also commended the FCT chapter of the ADC for their achievements and encouraged them to prepare for the upcoming Area Council elections, challenging them to be ready to take over power and form governments in the 36 states and 774 local government areas of the country.
