Constitutional Amendment To Entrench LG Autonomy Underway - Akpabio
By Ekanem ASUQUO
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has hinted that the 10th National Assembly will amend the 1999 Nigeria's constitution to reflect the local government autonomy proclaimed in the landmark verdict of the Supreme Court.
Akpabio stated this while addressing journalists after voting at his polling unit located at the Independence High School, Ukana, Essien Udim during the local government elections in Akwa Ibom yesterday.
According to him;"I want to re-assure Nigerians that the National Assembly will amend current legislations that have impeded the administration of Local Government Councils in the country to guarantee the third tier of government full autonomy.
"I believe strongly in the autonomy of Local Government and the Supreme Court has recently given a verdict that there is need for the funds of the Local Government to go directly to the Local Government. But it will still need a bit of parliamentary tinkering for that to become a reality as a result of various provisions in the Constitution."
He cited areas likely to be tinkered with to include;" The joint State/Local Government account committee and the provision of the State Independent Electoral Commission laws"
He disclosed that he was in the state to participate in the Local Government polls and to observe the conduct of the election by the State Government.
The Senate President explained: "Sometimes you hear that the Local Government election is conducted and the ruling party in the state will win all the positions available. So I needed to come and see how such feats are achieved.
"With the avalanche of support that you have seen that I have in my Senatorial District and local government which you are all witnesses, how do people normally score 100 percent? So it simply means that if elections are allowed to be free and fair that the political parties will choosee people based on their competence and not based of the ruling parties in that State.
'It calls to question the conscience of Nigerians, the need for us to examine our conscience, the need for us to ensure that every vote counts, the need for us to deepen democracy and allow democracy to work. If democracy does not work at the grassroots level, it means that development will never trickle down to the common man.
"That is the reason that despite many other engagements I came down to participate since Akwa Ibom is said to be doing a Local Government election today. So I came to exercise my franchise and also meet with my people"
He sued for peace and harmony urging the electorate to always work toward protecting democracy whether they win or lose.
In his words, "Whether you win or you don’t win, the joy is being able to exercise your franchise, and having the right to vote. The rest of getting it right will need parliamentary input executive push and even the assertion of the judiciary"
