By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
Sentor Karimiw has stated that the National Assembly will pass legislation to ensure that INEC is responsible for conducting elections for local governments.
Senator Sunday Karimi, (APC) from Kogi West and chairman of the senate Services Committee, has stated that the National Assembly plans to shift the responsibility of managing elections at the local council level from state electoral bodies to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the near future.
He said, “I thank Mr President for mustering the courage to do the right thing. Since 1999, the third tier of government literally speaking, has been nonexistent. State governments treated them as appendages of the state governments. No President, has been able to change that. But, within one year, however, President Tinubu has returned the local government to the owners-the masses.
“Local governments, if well operated, will ensure a better existence for our people. President Tinubu took due cognizance of this and courageously took the bull by the horn.
“Some state governors will fight back. President Tinubu allowed the judiciary a free hand to operate in this particular instance, irrespective of the fact that he is but a first term President who may desire a comeback in 2027.”
“I align myself with the President on this. It takes a man of the people, it takes a man of courage, it takes a man that knows and feels the pulse of the masses to make this to happen.
“He has seen it all, as a former Senator and a former Governor. Former President Buhari promised to push this but lacked the presence of mind and political will to pursue it. It will not stop there.
“The National Assembly through our oversight responsibility will ensure that revenue from the federal purse goes to where it is supposed to go. We will ensure that the Supreme Court judgment is obeyed to the letter, that allocation is shared between the three tiers of government in accordance with the law.”
“will ensure that capable individuals can step forward to contest local government elections. Experienced people will be needed to manage the funds effectively, and prioritize the development of the grassroots for the masses to become actively involved in shaping the future of their local governments.
“A lot of money that has gone to the local governments, over the years were either taken over by the state governments through the joint account or not accounted for. “Prosperity will remember President Tinubu for this epoch making achievement, his second term is assured.”