Stakeholders in Anambra State are urging Governor Chukwuma Soludo to promptly organize elections for local government councils in the state. This demand was articulated during a forum organized by the International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre (IPCRC) in collaboration with the African Centre for Leadership and Development.
The stakeholders, representing civil society organizations, political parties, religious and traditional institutions, the media, and others, emphasized that nearly a decade has passed since the last local government election in the state.
Dr. Henry Duru, a lecturer in the Mass Communication Department of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, delivered a lecture on ‘Strengthening accountability in governance and electoral process.’ He pointed out that Nigerian governors have effectively taken control of the local government system.
Duru remarked, “Conducting elections is a statutory thing, enshrined in the Constitution, and not something that any aspirant to a position should be promising anyone.”
Chris Azor, the Coordinator of IPCRC, and Itia Otabor, Director of the African Centre for Leadership and Development, highlighted that the forum aimed to brainstorm ways to press the Anambra State government to conduct council polls.
Otabor stated, “We are not appealing to the governor; we are only reminding him of what he should have done, which he hasn’t done. He is obligated to conduct a local government election because it is statutory.”
In a unanimous communique, the stakeholders stressed the imperative for local government polls in Anambra State.
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