The Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District and Senate Minority Leader, Comrade Abba Patrick Moro, on Thursday moved a motion on the ocal government elections held in Benue State on Saturday, 5th October, 2024.

The motion titled, “THE SHAM LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS OF SATURDAY, 5TH OCTOBER, 2024: ABUSE OF THE CONSTITUTION AND NEED FOR INTERVENTION BY THE SENATE” and co-sponsored by Senator Titus Zam Tartenger (Benue North West), Senator Emmanuel Udendu Memgba (Benue North East) and Senator Nwoye Tony (Anambra North) condemned the charade called ‘Local government elections’ that took place in Benue State on the 5th of October and called on the federal government to withhold allocations to local government councils where leaders emerged through selection and not democratically-elected.

The motion reads;

“The Senate;

“Notes that in a federation, elections are the backbone of democracy, allowing citizens to choose their representatives at various levels of government; and the right to franchise of citizens in Nigeria is sacrosanct and constitutionally guaranteed under Sections 77 to 91 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), specifically focusing on the citizens’ rights to vote and be voted for in an electoral process.

“Also notes further that on the 5th of October, 2024, Local Government Council Elections were scheduled to hold in Benue State and in other parts of Nigeria, and while the electorates excitedly trooped out in their numbers to exercise their franchise and to elect leaders who represent their will at the local government councils, they waited for hours in vain as no election materials or electoral officers showed up in many of the polling units, and where a semblance of election took place winners were denied certificates of returns.

“Further notes that in most places, elections took place in the private homes of the chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) making the entire process a mere coronation of candidates of the ruling party and not a proper election as contemplated under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“Equally notes that the provisions of Section 197 of the said Constitution, together with the Third Schedule, Part 11 of the Constitution have been grossly breached and the said local government council elections of 5th October, 2024 in Benue State and in some parts of Nigeria, were marred by rampant manipulation, thwarting the goal of establishing truly representative local governments in Nigeria.

“ACCORDINGLY RESOLVES TO;

“1. Condemn the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission’s blatant disregard for democratic principles in the sham local government elections of October 5, 2024;

“2. Urge the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission to conduct and hold elections in those places where elections did not hold and allow the people to choose the representatives of their choice;

“3. Further urge the federal government to deny allocations to local government councils where where selections were done, akin to appointment of caretaker committees.

“I so move Mr. President.”

In their separate contributions, Senators Titus Zam and Emmanuel Udendu affirmed that there was no election in Benue State on Saturday and called on the senate and federal government to take urgent steps to put to an end the anti-democratic practice that’s gradually becoming a norm in the country. Senator Zam said people made a lot of sacrifices to enthrone democracy and that anti-democratic forces must not be allowed to destroy the system.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, Senators Ahmed Lawal, Adams Oshiomhole, Solomon Alalekan and others lent their voices and said a national dialogue must be invoked to discuss the way out, stating that the system must be sanitized either for a new body to be created to conduct local government elections or the constitution be amended to empower INEC to do the job.

The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio thanked Senator Moro for belling the cat again. He acknowledged the irregularities that characterize local government elections in the country and said something must definitely be done to correct that. He said Nigeria would not be said to have three tiers of government until elections are properly conducted at the local government level and assured that the Egyptians seen today would soon be no more.

Emmanuel Eche’Ofun John,
Media Adviser to the Senate Minority Leader