BREAKING: Details emerge as Senate introduces bill to establish Local Govt Electoral Commission

• A proposed bill to establish a federal agency overseeing local government elections passed its initial reading in the Senate on Thursday, July 18
• Titled the "Local Government Independent Electoral Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2024," it was introduced by Senator Sani Musa of APC – Niger East.
• A recent Supreme Court ruling mandates direct funds disbursement to local governments

FCT, Abuja—On Thursday, July 18, the Senate passed its initial reading of proposed legislation to create a federal agency responsible for overseeing local government elections.

The bill, titled "Local Government Independent Electoral Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2024,"

Nigerian Senate headed by Godswill Akpabio, moves on creation of LG Electoral Commission Photo credit: @NigeriaStories
Source: Twitter

The bill was, however, introduced by Senator Sani Musa, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, representing APC – Niger East, as reported by The Nation.

Legit.ng recalls that recently, the Supreme Court ordered funds to be paid directly to the accounts of local government areas across the country.

The apex court declared that it is unconstitutional for state governors to hold onto funds meant for local government (LG) administrations.

The judgement was delivered on Thursday, July 18, following the suit filed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's federal government against the 36 Governors seeking full autonomy for the country's 774 local governments.

Nigerians react

Following the recent move by the Nigerian Senate, Nigerians have come out to express their views.

@JVeebrand said:

The Same INEC That Has Destroyed Credible Elections In Nigeria? Has INEC Been Reformed? Tinubu Controls INEC Tinubu will Control States Through LG. Too Much Power At The Center."

@ASK_OF_AYOMIDE said:

"By INEC ? … so they can rig from top from federal down to local level "

@DamilareOdulesi said:

"Why are the governors not ready to let them have it? All these governors are a different set of problems in Nigeria."

@miKKe_E86 said:

"So that the federal government can have more powers to manipulate elections at the local government levels through INEC. The LGA autonomy is about Tinubu’s obsession for more power and control over resources and politics."

Tinubu asks Senate to add N6.2trn to 2024 budget

In another development, Legit.ng reported that President Bola Tinubu has submitted a request to the Senate for approval to inject N6.2 trillion into the 2024 budget, which currently stands at N27.5 trillion.

In a letter read on the floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu sought to withdraw N3.2 trillion from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for capital expenditure and another N3 trillion for additional recurrent expenditure for the year ending December 31, 2024.

Source: Legit.ng