Group Asks Oyetola To Conduct LG Elections

 

By Kolapo Azeez

A non-government organization, Democracy Vanguard, has written Governor of the State of Osun, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, asking him to order the conduct of Local Government elections.

State Coordinator of the group, Comrade Emmanuel Olowu, in the letter titled ‘Conducting Local Government Election Is A Constitutional Provision’, warned Oyetola against setting up Caretaker Management Committees for the local governments in the state.

Olowu argued that appointing a caretaker committee instead of elective representatives in the local government is alien to Nigerian Constitution and also a danger to the cardinal purpose of the creation of local governments in Nigeria.

The letter obtained by OSUN DEFENDER reads in part: “We write to remind you that on Friday, 5th of February, 2021, which was over three months ago, the tenure of local government executive expired and since then, the State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) has not made any statement in relations to when local government election of Osun would hold.

“We will like to remind you of Section 7 (sub section 1) of the Nigerian Constitution, 1999 (as amended) which states that:  ‘The system of local government by democratically elected local government councils is under this Constitution guaranteed; and accordingly, the Government of every state shall, subject to section 8 of this Constitution, ensure their existence under a Law which provides for the establishment, structure, composition, finance and functions of such councils.’

“On the above provision, we will like you to know that conducting Local Government Election is a provision acknowledged by the Nigerian constitution and our organisation is set to ensure that the dictate of our constitution as related to democracy is followed to the letter.

“We, therefore, urge you to use your good office to effect appropriate democratic process by giving necessary constitutional and resources support to OSIEC in order to immediately commence plans for the conduct of Local Government Elections in the State.

“More so, we will like Mr. Governor to understand that the setting up of a Caretaker Committee is alien to the Nigerian Constitution and also a danger to the cardinal purpose of the creation of Local Governments in Nigeria, which our organisation and the citizens of Osun will not accept.

“We are anxiously looking forward to your expedited action in this regard for public interest and enhancement of democracy and popular participation.”