NUJ Takes Stand Against Lavish Spending For Local Government Electoral Commission

NUJ Takes Stand Against Lavish Spending For Local Government Electoral Commission

The national president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo, said on Wednesday, July 31, that establishing a separate body to conduct local government elections given the recent Supreme Court Judgment could lead to redundancy, increased bureaucracy, and potential conflicts of interest.

Speaking at the third quarterly consultative meeting of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with the media, Isiguzo said rather than establish a different commission to conduct local government elections, the relevant should be ended to allow INEC to conduct the grassroots election.

Isiguzo described the Supreme Court judgment which granted full autonomy to local government administrations as a landmark ruling and a major stride towards strengthening our democracy at the grassroots level.

He said: “Local governments are the closest tier of government to the people, and their autonomy is crucial for effective governance and development.

“However, for this autonomy to be truly conclusive and impactful, there is a need for constitutional amendments by the National Assembly.

“Specifically, the relevant sections of the constitution should be amended to empower INEC to conduct elections for local governments nationwide.

“Currently, INEC enjoys constitutional authority to conduct national and sub-national elections. Extending this authority to include the third tier of government will ensure uniformity, credibility, and efficiency in the electoral process.

“In light of this, the proposal to create an Independent Local Government Electoral Commission is, in my view, unnecessary. Establishing a separate body for local government elections could lead to redundancy, increased bureaucracy, and potential conflicts of interest.

“Instead, leveraging INEC’s established framework, experience, and resources would be a more efficient and effective approach to managing local government elections.”

He said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has consistently demonstrated its commitment to transparency and accountability through these quarterly consultative meetings with the media.

He said further that it was important to constantly engage with the media, especially in the context of elections since the media serves as the bridge between the electoral commission and the citizens, ensuring that accurate information is disseminated, electoral processes are transparent, and the voices of the people are heard.

This synergy between INEC and the media he said is crucial as we approach the off-season gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo states.

This meeting today is particularly important because the commission will provide further updates on preparations for these critical elections. We are also excited to receive the news that the commission has recovered from the temporary setback experienced in Edo State following the rains. I also want to appeal to journalists interested in being part of the election by way of coverage to upload their details on the portal without further delay to ensure that accreditation tags are produced in good time for the election.

According to him, the transparency and efficiency with which elections are conducted directly influence the public confidence in our democratic processes and expressed confidence that INEC is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that these elections are free, fair, and credible.

He stressed that the role of the media in this process is indispensable, saying, “As watchdogs of society, we have the duty to report accurately and objectively, to educate the electorate, and to provide a platform for diverse voices and opinions.

“Our collaboration with INEC is essential in achieving these goals. We also want to appeal to the security agencies to equally extend the necessary support and partnership with the media in order to check incessant harassment and intimidation of journalists on election duties”.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the media to supporting INEC in its mission to uphold the integrity of elections in Nigeria, saying, “Together, we can foster a democratic environment that is open, accountable, and reflective of the will of the people”.