Gov. Soludo lied to Ndi Anambra about LGA Elections
During his inaugural speech, the Governor of Anambra, Prof. Soludo, promised to conduct local government elections within two years. He had even pledged to do so immediately during his campaign.
However, after two years, he has neither conducted any local government elections nor taken any steps to prepare for them.
Instead, he has now decided that APGA political operatives will nominate names for him to handpick leaders for each of the 21 local government areas.
Contrary to section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution, Prof. Soludo has opted to recruit his cronies and political foot soldiers to administer the local government areas. This allows him to utilise funds allocated to these areas to support his political structures believing that will help him secure his re-election.
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These undemocratic maneuvers have also been witnessed in the way trade unions and other critical sectors have been mismanaged and replaced with touts and hirelings. In this way, the election of the President General of town unions has been compromised in many towns and the choice of the masses is blatantly thwarted.
There are three levels of government. If Presidents don’t appoint transition governors, why do governors feel they can appoint transition LG Chairmen and change them at will?
And if promises have been made, why break them?
The rule of law is everything in governance!
A proper LG election is crucial to strengthen democracy and allow people at the grassroots to choose their leaders. In turn, the masses will be able to hold the elected accountable.
I therefore believe that Gov Soludo should be reminded that he has failed to live up to set expectations and social contract with Ndi Anambra.