x

Abia State and its local government elections

By Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu


The local government, which is referred as the third tier of government in Nigeria, may be defined lowest level of government in a country established by law to ensure the effective and efficient administration of the localities or rural areas. The United Nations Department of Public Administration defines the local government as the political sub- division of a country which is designed by law and has substantial control of local affairs including power to impose levies and exact labour for prescribed purposes.
The local government is an indispensable unit of the federation. It is the tier of government nearest to the people. Part II, section 7 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended 2011) guarantees that the government state shall ensure the existence of local government under a law which provides for the establishment, structure, composition, finance and functions of such councils.
The local government is created to bring government nearer to the people; serve as the medium to articulate and promote local interest; act as the instrument for political education; and promotion of rural development. Others are to mobilise and harness local resources; and to serve as link between the rural dwellers and other tiers of the government.
It will be recalled that there a time for more than half of a decade in Abia State, the local government elections were not been held in Abia State. The local government system was operated under a caretaker arrangement. While  this attracted barrage of criticisms in the past, it  seriously hampered progress and development of the local government areas in the state.
But fortunately, the narrative has changed as Abia is about to conduct the second local government elections under Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration.  Abia State Independent Election Commission (ABSIEC) recently fixed local government elections for chairmanship and councillorship positions in all the 17 local government councils and  292 ABSIEC wards in the state for December 18, 2020.This is a cheering news for all Abians despite their political divide. The commission has also issued timetable for the elections. 
Abians across the 17 local government areas are viewing the action beyond the exercise of the powers conferred on the commission by Part 11, Third Schedule, Section 4, Sub-section (a) and (b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and pursuant to the Fifth Schedule, Section 160 of Abia State Local Government Law No. 9 of 2002. 
This singular action portrays Governor Okezie Ikpeazu as a man whose words are his bond. It portrays him as a man who has departed from the previous ways of doing things and wants to do things differently.
The important roles the local government plays in a system cannot be overemphasised. They are divided into Mandatory, permissive and concurrent. The obligatory roles of the local government are those roles provided by Schedule IV of t Constitution. They are functions which the local government is bound to render to the people because of its knowledge of the local problems. The obligatory roles include maintenance of rural roads, streets, and drainages; construction and maintenance of motor parks, public conveniences and cemeteries; provision of health facilities such as clinics, dispensaries and maternities.
Others are disposal of refuse; building of primary schools; collection of rates; radio and television licenses; licensing of bicycles, trucks, wheel barrows; naming of streets, roads and numbering of houses, registration of births, deaths and marriages; establishment and maintenance of recreational facilities; and regulation of outdoor advertisements, movement of domestic animals, shops and kiosks, restaurants and food and liquor renders.
Indeed, it is not out of place to state here that these functions have suffered for lack of democratically elected executives in the local government areas in the state. Also, Governor Ikpeazu’s developmental strides in the urban centres cannot be complete if there are no complementary efforts in the rural centres because this is where the bulk of the residents dwell.
No wonder the Ikpeazu’s administration in its bid to close the gap of infrastructural development between rural areas and the cities, is opening rural roads such as Agalaba Ring Road.
The forthcoming local government elections have provided Abians another window to contribute meaningfully to the development of the state. There is a passionate appeal to shun our differences and embrace this golden opportunity. “There is no tomorrow better than today”!

Hot this week

PIA Amendments: Group Vows Nationwide Protest Against FG’s Attempt to Sell Critical Assets

The National Rebirth Movement (NRM) has vowed to mobilise...

FG decorates 4 newly appointed DCGs of NCoS, tasks on professionalism, dedication to duty

By Palma Ileye Federal Government through the Ministry of Interior,...

FG Cancels Independence Parade, Retains Other Anniversary Events

By Francis Wilfred ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government has...

Ibom Air Crew rescues dying onboard passenger as flight makes U-turn

By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo An Ibom Air flight from Abuja...

PCRC Zone 4 Trains Members on Community Policing in Lafia

By Leo Zwanke, Lafia The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC),...

Bandits Kill Businessman in Kogi, Kidnap Bus Passengers in Yagba

Ny Noah Ocheni, Lokoja Suspected bandits have killed a prominent...

Kogi Govt to Enforce Ban on Trailer Parks Over Security Concerns

By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja The Kogi State Government has announced...

Nigeria@65: Shendam Council Chairman Urges Youths to Embrace Technology, Innovation

By Israel Adamu, Jos The Chairman of Shendam Local Government...

U.S. Advocacy Groups Reject Tinubu’s IPOB–Boko Haram Comparison, Demand Kanu’s Release

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna Three U.S.-based human rights and self-determination...

FCT Minister, Flags-off Abuja Light Up Project

HE Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister on Thursday, called...

NYCN Launches Tinubu CARES, Empowers Traders as Nigeria Marks 65th Independence

…Rolls out entrepreneurship fund to boost small businesses …..Distributes modern...

Wike Condoles With Arise News Over Death Of News Anchor, Vows Killers Will Be Apprehended

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju The FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has...

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img