NGO rejects Caretaker Committee, asks Gov Soludo to conduct council election

Global Society for Anti-Corruption (GSAC) are appalled with the recent action of the Anambra state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo in constituting  Caretaker Committees for the running of affairs in the local governments of the state.

We want to state that we totally  reject caretaker committees for local government affairs. It is unconstitutional and unacceptable to continue to allow poor representation of the only arm of government that is closer to our people.

Our rural areas is a key component of government and development. Our communities in the various rural areas form the building blocks of local government and you cannot talk about overall development without the communities.

Denying them opportunity to elect and vote people that should govern their affairs at that level is akin to denying them development as well as to their constitutional rights. Development is phenomenon in several dimensions and the 1999 constitution as amended recognized the three tier of government  from Federal, State and local governments. If indeed, we are faithful to the letters of that constitution, then we should allow democracy operate at the grassroots by instituting electoral process at that level.

Periodic elections at that level ensures accountability; it breeds competition and promotes sense of belonging. We will be promoting healthy competition among the various segments when we encourage elections.

Our local government councils have not contributed meaningfully to development as a result of corruption and mismanagement of resources, lack of clear cut policies  geared towards growth, and lack of implementation of growth policies and plans. This is basically because, we impose people who did not plan to be there as in the present case.

Anambra state in the past 10 years has not conducted local government election. It has relied on appointments at that level to run her affairs. We sincerely think the development has not helped the state and expansion  of our democratic  virtues and politics.

We think that Governor Soludo should change this mantra and strive to deepen our democracy by the infusion of periodic electoral process at the third tier. He should make the difference where others have failed.

Our local governments should be made alive and viable to play their expected roles by taking full charge of responsibilities at that level.

Our position is supported by sections 7 and 8 of the constitution which empower states to conduct council elections and grant full autonomy to local governments to enable them function effectively. So negating this aspect is like rejecting that which he professed to preserve.

Our dear governor can leverage on the goodwill at the moment to restore order at that level and give Anambra state democracy at the grassroots. He would have inscribed his name on gold should he break the jinx that became a conduit pipe to milk the state it’s scarce resources in the past years. He has promised a new phase for Anambra state, let this new beginning start with the local governments as it will in the long run reduce pressure on the state government.

Meanwhile, we canvass a review of the constitution that should also provide sanctions to state governments that fail to conduct elections at the local government councils. It will help deepen our democracy and politics at that level

Amb. Mrs Amaka Nweke JP

Country Director

GSAC