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Author: Onuegbu Perpetua

  • Don’t scrap state electoral commissions—Yiaga Africa

    Don’t scrap state electoral commissions—Yiaga Africa

    Commissions

    By Perpetua Onuegbu
    Abuja, June 7, 2024 (NAN) YIAGA Africa an NGO, has urged the National Assembly not to accede to calls for the scrapping of State Electoral Commissions (SIECs) saying doing so would undermine decentralisation of governance.

    Mr Samson Itodo, Executive Director, YIAGA Africa, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    According to him, this proposal is fundamentally flawed and will have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s democracy if implemented.

    Itodo said among many of the adverse effects of tampering with SIECs would be an added burden to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which could lead to poorly conducted local elections.

    “Secondly it undermines the autonomy of states guaranteed in the constitution, potentially leading to an over concentration of power in the Federal Government.

    “Thirdly, it weakens local democracy and citizens` participation as local communities will be stripped of the opportunity to participate in decision-making.

    “In 2022, the National Assembly introduced a provision in the 2022 Electoral Act to regulate the procedure for LGA elections in a bid to salvage the integrity of local government elections.

    “SIECs were compelled by the Act to conduct local elections in conformity with the procedures laid out in the 2022 Electoral Act,” Itodo said.

    He said states had since been updating electoral laws to conform with the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act.

    Itodo said INEC’s current mandate is extensive and demands substantial resources and attention.

    “Adding the responsibility of conducting local government elections would further strain the Commission, potentially leading to administrative inefficiencies and reduced effectiveness in managing electoral processes.

    “Undoubtedly, SIECs have been underwhelming since the return to democracy in 1999 due to capture by state governors, weak or ineffective legal framework, underfunding and limited election administration capabilities.

    “These factors have resulted in poorly conducted and flawed local council elections.

    “Rather than scrap SIECs, the National Assembly and executive should consider implementing stricter sanctions or legislation that criminalise dissolution of local government councils’’, he said.

    Itodo said this could also include withholding federal allocation to states that failed to conduct local government elections or guarantee operational and financial independence of SIEC, among other measures,” he said.

    He said that abolishing SIECs was not a solution to flawed local government elections.

    He added that addressing the underlying issues and strengthening SIECs through legal and institutional reforms would enhance local democracy and preserve the integrity of LGA elections. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    PUO/KUA
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    Edited by Uche Anunne

     

  • Group urges FG to intensify corruption fight

    Fight

    By Perpetua Onuegbu

    Abuja, June 4, 2024 (NAN) The Committed Advocates of Integrity Initiative (CADII), a Civil Society Organisations (CSO) has called on the Federal Government to intensify its fight against corruption, to enable Nigerian youths achieve their full potential.

    Mr Charles Agubor, Executive Director/Convener, CADII, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Agubor said that the fight against corruption was what the country needed now to get the economy working again.

    He said that the group would convene a National Integrity Summit (NIS) aimed at building integrity to prevent and combat corruption.

    “We are organising and hosting the National Integrity Summit to promote and advocate for integrity amongst people from all walks of life in a bid to make integrity a more viable, visible and dominant value in our society.

    “The summit will be organised in a way to awaken competition and honest dealings in all systems towards building a better and prosperous corrupt-free Nation in Nigeria.

    “The summit was earlier scheduled for June 5 and June 6 but we eventually moved it to Aug. 28 and Aug. 29.

    “We decided to postpone the summit to ensure more participation; and there is a need for a much more holistic, comprehensive and integrated approach to fight corruption.

    “The concept of the summit is to advance at both the Africa and Global forum, the fight against corruption, and this will be held annually.

    “At the summit, we will focus on strategies to develop policies and enhance partnerships and dialogue between the public and private sectors to improve productivity,” he said.

    Agubor said that clamping down, arresting and sanctioning corrupt officials and individuals were no longer fashionable and may be an inadequate and outdated method of suppressing corruption and promoting integrity.

    “A more strategic and sustainable response to the fight against corruption lies in the use of awards as an incentive to honor individuals and public officials who have proven to be exemplary in the display of integrity.

    “This can be done in a way to awaken competition and honest dealings in all systems, towards building a better and prosperous corrupt-free Nation, Nigeria.”

    According to Agubor, building a nation free from corruption can be made possible, by integrating an integrity compliance mindset in branding and in every facet of our life as citizens, through reinforcements of sustainable value reorientation and attitudinal change.

    “A nation free of corruption can be achieved through integrity advocacy, enhancing partnerships and dialogue between the public and private sectors to promote business integrity.

    “This is essential for sustainable long-term business growth, creating excellent opportunities and increased gross domestic product (GDP), which aims to help in diminishing the vicious cycle of corruption in Nigeria, that has exacerbated poverty, obstructed sustainable development and productivity.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    PUO/EMAF
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    Edited by Emmanuel Afonne