Stakeholders, including political parties and civil society organisations in Anambra State, have lamented non-conduct of local government elections by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, two years into his administration.

They regretted that for the past 10 years, elections had not been conducted at that tier of government, noting that the 21 local governments had been run by Caretaker Committee chairmen, which they described as an aberration.

The stakeholders spoke yesterday in Awka during a dialogue with political parties and civil society organisations on ‘Strengthening Transparency, Accountability in Governance and Electoral Process (STAGE) Project’.

It was organised by the African Centre for Leadership and Development, in collaboration with International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre.

Director, Strategies, at the African Centre for Leadership and Development, Itia Otabor, said the government was losing hugely over non-conduct of the election, including funding by development partners and lovers of democracy.

He, however, hoped that the current Transition Caretaker Committee would be the last to be constituted to govern the local governments.

He disclosed plans for advocacy visit by stakeholders to key institutions in the state, to further press home the importance of conducting the poll.

He said: “Major opportunities are waiting to open up with the conduct of the election. The state is missing out hugely. Funds will definitely come from development partners and lovers of democracy.

“Within the content of our very deepest aspirations, we believe the renewal of the tenure of caretaker committee chairmen done recently will be the last to be constituted to govern councils.

“We’re also hoping that the governor, being a progressive and who publicly commits himself to conducting local government election, will see the transition committee as the last under his administration.

“Most residents are desirous of seeing the local government elections conducted to stop the use of caretaker committees, which is unconstitutional.

“This is why we’re disheartened that rather than moving in the trajectory of hearing plans of constituting Anambra State Electoral Commission (ANSIEC), we’re hearing of recourse to Caretaker Committee. It’s really a setback.”

The President, International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre, Chris Azor, described the push for the immediate conduct of the local government election as a collective responsibility of stakeholders.

He noted that the conduct of the poll would be to the governor’s advantage, saying the structure would further strengthen his base and popularity.

“It’s our collective responsibility both as media and civil society organisations to hold government to account, especially on its promises, and part of that is this engagement with stakeholders.

“We need to keep reminding the governor of his promises. Though brilliant, he’s human. There are signs he’s going to keep to his promise. We expect to have a policy brief after this conversation.

“The world is waiting for Anambra State over the conduct of local government elections. Development partners are also waiting with a promise of supporting the government if the ANSIEC is constituted.

“It’s unfortunate that ANSIEC workers, for the past 10 years, have been idling away, yet receiving salaries and other entitlements due to absence of local government elections. Is that good governance?

“It’s only necessary to ensure the election is conducted so the office will come alive again with heavy traffic, which will also boast the state’s GDP. It will also be to the governor’s advantage, as he needs the structure to strengthen his base,” Azor said. (The Nation)

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