LG autonomy: Why council elections should be conducted by INEC – COSEYL

The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL has called on the National Assembly to urgently make necessary constitutional amendments to allow the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to conduct local government elections in the country.

The coalition stated this while reacting to the Supreme Court judgement granting full financial autonomy to Local Governments in Nigeria.

DAILY POST earlier reported that the apex court on Thursday while ruling on a suit by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, seeking full autonomy and direct fund allocation to the 774 local, ordered the 36 state governors to henceforth steer clear of LG funds.

Reacting, COSEYL in a statement issued on Thursday by its President General, Goodluck Ibem, said to complement the decision of the apex court, INEC should be given constitutional backing to conduct council polls.

Ibem expressed optimism that if INEC is allowed to conduct LG elections, the will of the majority may prevail at the polls.

“If INEC is allowed to conduct elections, different political parties will have opportunities to contest and win elections at the LG levels which will enthrone transparency and accountability”, he said.

The coalition further called on “governors to immediately conduct Local Government Elections in accordance with the Supreme Court Judgement and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.