The Anambra State chapter of the Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, Tuesday, in Onitsha, demanded for the immediate conduct of Local Government election to enable the grassroots feel the impact of government and for government to also come closer to their door steps, ANAMBRA PEOPLE reports.
Making the demand, the CLO State chairman, Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, expressed dismay that Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, is yet to commence preparation for the conduct of the council election adding that he (Soludo) pledged during his electioneering campaign that he would without delay, commence conduct of the said election if voted as successor to former Governor Willie Obiano.
“Even while marking this year’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, UDHR Day, with its slogan, Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All, few days ego, I also stressed the need for the Governor to conduct the council election as he pledged.
“Recall that since 2016 when tenure of local government officials elapsed, CLO has been in the vanguard and forefront in demand for conduct of local government election in the State.
“It is irrefutable truth and existential reality that the State is the only state in the Federation that has conducted local government election once, by His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, in 2014, since inception of current democratic dispensation in 1999.
“We reiterate our earlier appeal to Governor Chukwumah Soludo and members of Anambra State House of Assembly, as beneficiaries of democratic process, to immediately put machinery in motion towards resuscitating Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission, and direct them to conduct local government election within the shortest possible time, as transition or caretaker committee is alien to Nigeria constitution,” he pleaded.
The CLO boss also demanded for the democratization of markets and Town Unions’ leadership to help eradicate corruption, high-handedness, impunities and injustices in various markets.
Comrade Ezekwueme also stressed the need for the implementation of the EndSARS report in the State to curtail incessant lamentations and complaints by petitioners, victims, their legal representatives and need for justice over inaction of government for payment of compensations to the petitioners.
“We appeal to Governor Soludo to do justice to the panel report and effect immediate payment of compensations to the petitioners as justice delayed is justice denied.
Recall Justice Veronica Umeh submitted the report to former Governor Willie Obiano, non-implementation of the panel’s report has questioned the willingness of the government to assuage the sufferings and plights of the petitioners.
“It also gives credence to speculation of people that constitution of the panel was merely means of dousing tension due to EndSARS Nationwide protests in November 2020,” he stated.
On the 2nd Niger Bridge, he however commended President Mohammadu Buhari, for such legacy project adding that prosperity will be fair to him for having the political will to embark upon such gigantic project after failed promises by the previous administrations.
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