The Senate has issued a directive to the federal government, urging a cessation of the allocation of funds to local government councils that have caretaker committees instead of democratically elected chairpersons, in breach of the Constitution.
MUK TV recalls that Section 7 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, explicitly mandates a system of democratically elected local government leadership, a critical aspect consistently violated by the prevailing appointment of caretaker committees by state governors.
“The system of local government by democratically elected local government council is under this constitution guaranteed, and accordingly, the government, of every state shall, subject to section eight of this Constitution, ensure their existence under a law that provides for establishment, structure, composition, finance, and functions of such council,” the section reads.
The resolution emerged following a motion presented by Senator Abba Moro, the Senate Minority Leader from Benue South, who highlighted the unconstitutional dissolution of elected local government officials in favor of caretaker committees by certain state governors, Premium Times reports.
Specifically, he pointed out Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State as an offender in this regard.
The Senate endorsed Moro’s motion, with a majority of senators supporting the condemnation of the use of caretaker committees for administering local governments.
Notably, former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Chief Whip Ali Ndume echoed their disapproval of this practice.
Oshiomhole argued that state governors lack the authority to dissolve elected local government officials, recounting his refusal to take such actions while in office.
On his part, Ndume urged the Senate to discourage the Federal Ministry of Finance from disbursing funds to local government areas managed by caretaker committees.
Supporting the motion, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari advocated for the amendment of the Electoral Act, proposing that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) be empowered to conduct local government elections.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasized the need for establishing a National Electoral Commission for Local Government to prevent state governors from influencing LG elections.
The Senate overwhelmingly supported Akpabio’s motion through a vote, prompting the Senate President to instruct the Clerk to communicate the resolution to the relevant authorities.
