Stop playing emperor, allow LGA elections to hold, Yiaga Africa tells Governors

From: Femi Oyelola Kaduna

The 36 State Governors in Nigeria have been urged to stop playing the role of emperors who will determine when Local Government Council elections will be held in their state
The Director of Programmes, of, Yiaga Africa Cynthia Mbamalu asserted this in Kaduna at an advocacy roundtable on legislative reform for improved local government elections in Kaduna State.
According to her, LG Council Chairmen should be elected according to the operating State Election Law just like the Governors were elected in line with the stipulated law.
She, however, expressed dismay that some governors conduct LG elections when they deem it necessary.
Cynthia Mbamalu also advised that Local government administration in Nigeria must be more transparent and open to scrutiny.
According to Mbamalu, transparency in local government administration would enable citizens to demand accountability in everyday governance and at election time effectively.
She added that civil society organizations such as human and socio-economic rights groups should help develop robust accountability processes/mechanisms and play watchdog roles.
In collaboration with local government bodies, Mbamalu said, civil society organizations should educate and sensitize citizens on the
responsibilities of elected local government officials and citizens’ role in local governance.
She explained that such education/sensitization programs should also reorient the electorate toward making demands for collective or community goods rather than personalized demands on elected local leaders.