State governors killing democracy at grassroots

Nigeria has a democratically elected President, members of the National Assembly (both Senates and Reps), the state governors and members of the states House of Assembly. However, it’s unfortunate that, only very few state governors have democratically elected Local Governments Chairmen and Councilors in their respective states. Majority of the state governors refused to organized […]

Nigeria has a democratically elected President, members of the National Assembly (both Senates and Reps), the state governors and members of the states House of Assembly. However, it’s unfortunate that, only very few state governors have democratically elected Local Governments Chairmen and Councilors in their respective states.

Majority of the state governors refused to organized Local Governments elections, given excuses that are direct insult to ordinary common sense. In the circumstance, the Local Governments are being administered through Care taker Committees selected by the state governors. It’s disheartening that, Nigeria at this stage of democratic government which has been on since May 1999, many state governors are undemocratic. If we continue like this unchecked, definitely, members of the public at the local levels would continue to be denied representation at the grassroots.

Thus, there is a wide gap between the government and the local electorates. Local Government is very much closer to the masses than the state governments.

The constitutional provision that gave powers to the state governments with regard to the elections and administration of Local Governments are being flagrantly abused by the governors. The governors and members of the States House of Assembly came in to office through elections. But, puppets were enforced on the local populace. Is it democracy? In fact, it’s high time for both the federal Executive and National Assembly to enforce the laws and sanction any state government that deliberately refused organize Local Government elections. We can’t fold our arms and watch the destruction of democracy at the local levels. 

As a matter of urgency, the Federal Executive and National Assembly should do something now to save democracy from being killed in Nigeria by some selfish state governors. 

 

Hadiza Abubakar Aliyu, Katsina