By Chuka Nnabuife
For whatever reason, some goons are raising dust about Anambra State's keenness to hold local government (LG) elections. When the state proved how dubiously fallacious such communications are by setting the ball rolling ahead the September 28, 2024 LG elections in Anambra, the adversary switched to other complaints.
The truth is that Gov. Chukwuma
Charles Soludo and the entire Anambra State government along with the Anambra
State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) deserve thumbs up for the way
plans for the polls is going so far. They have demonstrated clear understanding
of what is on board.
Even the most evasive follower
of civics cannot waive aside the importance of effective local government (LG)
system in the governance of Nigeria.
Given the duties LGs shoulder, they are
crucial for development and effective galvanization of the populace of every
nation. Notwithstanding the LG system being the lowest layer of government in
Nigeria, the country has a robust history of critical issues that highlight the
crucial roles local governments play in making the land better.
From colonial era to this
contemporary time, Nigeria has been replete with developments that establish
the unavoidable status of that lowest wrung of government even while they were
known as native authorities or as divisions, and now as local government areas
(LGA). Students of history would remember how such issues around the native
authorities in the late 1920s through the early 1930s, as the Aba Women Riot of
1929 and a series of women actions across the then Southern Protectorate of
Nigeria enabled the anti-colonial campaigns that ousted British colonialists.
We still remember how the
evolvement of former divisions into LGAs from the First Republic and related
issues helped redefine Nigeria's democracy and engender development. The LG
system has helped, in a large way, to throw up new political leaders and new
grassroots development initiatives, while making the dividends of democracy get
to the locals.
Experts definition of local
governments, describe them as "subordinate levels of government that have
authority over specific geographic areas, such as cities, towns, counties, or
villages. They are responsible for providing essential services and making
decisions that affect the daily lives of residents."
Such decisions cover issues of
Infrastructure maintenance (roads, water, and sanitation); Public safety (law
enforcement, fire, emergency services); Healthcare and social services; Basic
Education; Waste management; Zoning and land use planning; Community
development; Chieftaincy matters among areas in the Nigerian constitution.
It is a globally recognised
factor that LGs are typically headed by elected officials, such as mayors,
council members, or supervisors, and are funded through a combination of local
taxes, fees, and grants from higher levels of government. Their primary
preoccupation is to address local needs and improve the quality of life for
residents.
Hence when, it appeared the LG
system was being ebbed in Nigeria by undemocratic practices, the Supreme Court judgment
came to the rescue by establishing that the Federal Government should stop
payment of FAAC allocations to LGAs without elected governments.
In the same vein, Anambra State
government rose to the challenge.
Building on the well-established
legacy of Anambra State for promoting the course of local governance, Gov.
Soludo made sure the state still leads the direction.
Anambra State, for example, has
held LG elections several times since Nigeria's current Fourth Republic berthed
a quarter century ago.
The state's record is sterling.
In 1999, Anambra held an LG
election, shortly after the return to democratic rule. In 2002, the second LG
election was held. The third of such election in this Republic was held in
2006. Another LG election was held in 2010. It was followed in 2014 by another
LG polls.
Due to clear security concerns,
the sixth LG election, scheduled to hold in 2021, was postponed.
The inauguration of a new
ANSIEC board by Gov. Soludo on August 6, and the signing into law of the 2024
Anambra State Electoral Law by the governor have pointed clearly to a good lead
towards maintaining the state's legacy of championing the importance of
democratic LG system.
ANSIEC's stated commitment to
organising free and fair LG elections, critics have equally raised hope.
Given the election timetable
that ANSIEC has published since Wednesday, August 14, ahead the election date
of September 28, 2024.
It is apt to read opaque
distraction in the comments and activities of those who after seeing the
process so far, still stick to the claim that Anambra is not thorough in any
way, on the LG polls. Though not everyone must hold the same view on the
matter, especially as partisan politics is involved, for the sake of urgent
needs, progress and the desire of ndi Anambra such unnecessary banters and altercations
need to be avoided if we mean well for the state.
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