A Lokoja -based non governmental organisation, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), has called Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State to immediately set machinery in motion for the conduct of credible local government elections in the state without further delay.
Idris Miliki Abdul, Executive Director, CHRCR, made the call in statement in Lokoja on Friday.
He said the call has become necessary in view of the judgment of the Supreme Court of Thursday, July 11, 2024, which has declared the running of local government councils by caretaker committees as illegal.
Miliki said the pronouncement of the Supreme Court on the issue of caretaker committees has vindicated his organisation which has for a long time been kicking against the idea.
“It will be recalled, that the last democratically elected Local Government Council tenure in Kogi State ended on the 14th December 2023.
“And Caretakers was illegally imposed by the immediate past administration on the 9th January, 2024 and subsequently and tragically, the current administration in Kogi State in collaboration with Kogi State House of Assembly extended the tenure of the Local Government Council Chairmen perpetrating illegality in the face of legitimacy.
“We are worried the situation that will befall the Local Government staff and the security situation at Local Government level in Kogi State.
“We call on the Kogi State Governor reverse the illegal extension of the tenure of Local Government Council as pronounced by State Assembly on Friday 5th July, 2024 and replace them with the Directors of Local Government across the state.
“We recommend, that for the purpose of payment of salary and security of the Local Government, the Kogi State Government should continue to make money available inform of loan to the Local Government Councils pending when democratically elected Local Government Council will be put in place.
“With the supplementary budget approved by the State Assembly on the 5th of July, 2024, the Kogi Governor and its government can no longer claim it has not funds to conduct Local Government Elections.
“We, therefore commend the Supreme Court for this laudable and historical judgment,” he said. (vitalnewsngr.com)
