The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has assured that the National Assembly will amend current legislations that have impeded the administration of Local Government Councils in the country to guarantee the third tier of government full autonomy.
Senator Akpabio identified the State and Local Government joint accounts committee and the State Independent Electoral Commission laws as legislations that the National Assembly would amend to grant full autonomy to Local Government in the country.
Senator Akpabio gave the assurance at Independence High School Ukana, Essien Udim Local Government Area, shortly after participating in the Local Government elections in Akwa Ibom State.
A statement by the Special Assistant to the President of the Senate on Media and Communication, Anietie Ekong quoted Senator Akpabio as urging the people to participate no matter what the outcome would be.
According to the President of the Senate, the autonomy of Local Government and the Supreme Court has recently given a verdict that there is need for the funds of the Local Government to go directly to the Local Government adding that, this still need a bit of parliamentary tinkering for that to become a reality as a result of various provisions in the Constitution.
Like the joint Local Government account committee and the provision of the State Independent Electoral Commission laws. My coming here today is to participate in the Local Government polls and to observe the conduct of the election by the State Government.
Sometimes you hear that the Local Government election is conducted and the ruling party in the State will win all the positions available. So it was necessary for me to come and see how such feats are achieved.
The Senate President noted that this called to question the conscience of Nigerians, the need for Nigerians to examine their conscience, ensure that every vote counts, the need for to deepen democracy and allow democracy to work, saying, If democracy does not work at the grassroots level, it means that development will never trickle down to the common man.
Akpabio recalled that when he served as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State between 2007 and 2015, opposition political parties in the State won some council seats and the State Independent Electoral Commission announced them.
Source: Galaxy TV
