From Jude Owuamanam, Managing Editor, Northern Operations
JOS (Sundiata Post) – In a petition to the Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly, Peter Azi,
JOS (Sundiata Post) – A Jos-based political pressure group, Grassroots Mirror, has petitioned the Plateau State House of Assembly over the reconstitution of the recently sacked caretaker committees of the 17 local government councils.
The group expressed dismay that those who made the list were only APC sympathisers.
The petition, was signed by the Coordinator, Mr. Ayuba ‘Jagaba, and made available to Sundiata Post in Jos on Thursday.
The group said that even those who defected from the opposition party to APC were given priority at the expense of pioneer members who suffered to nurture the party to victory.
The petition was entitled, ‘APPOINTMENT OF ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC) MEMBERS AS CHAIRMEN, SECRETARIES AND WARD COUNCILORS IN THE SEVENTEEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL OF PLATEAU STATE.’
It said, “We write as interested parties to the survival of democracy and good governance in Plateau State and Nigeria as a whole to make our modest observations and contributions on the above subject matter. As custodians of the people’s wishes, committed to safeguarding the principles of separation of powers and checks and balances in government, we hope that you will independently attempt to see more than one side to the issues raised in this memo.
“In keeping with democratic values of regular and periodic consultations with your constituents, your response to the diverse needs of the people will equally provide ample evidence to your support for any parliamentary attempts to expand human and democratic rights.
“The battle to have Local Government Councils under the jurisdiction of States came into effect 2002 with the landmark Supreme Court judgment against the Federal Government supervision of the councils. There has emerged however, a worrisome trend in the dominant leadership at the Federal and State levels expecting total control and patronage from the Chairmen and Councilors at the Local governments.
“Some States, particularly Plateau State, have taken the lead by appointing persons of the ruling political party as care-taker committee Chairmen and members.
“Plans have already been concluded in all Local Government Councils and Wards in Plateau State by the Barr. Simon Lalong-led administration to appoint APC members as Chairmen, Secretaries and Ward Councilors to the detriment of other political parties when elections are supposed to be conducted to fill the vacuum created in the Local Government Council due to non-existence of democratically elected representatives.”
The statement said the appointment negated the essence for the establishment of Local Government system which clearly contravenes the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended).
“Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution clearly and unambiguously guarantees the system of Local Government by democratic election not by selection. Going by this provision, neither the Federal government nor State government is empowered by the Constitution to either dissolve or postpone elections into Councils. Rather, if it feels the activities of the Councils does not meet with desired and constitutional expectations, it can make proposals to the National Assembly for amendments to the Constitution concerning Local Government structures and operations in the Country.
“From all indications, there is nothing wrong with the idea of setting up Local Governments and having them headed by elected officials, neither is there anything wrong with the power extended to State constitutionally to legislate on affairs of Councils. What is very disturbing is the paradox of refusing to conduct elections at the Local Government levels while elections were conducted at the State and Federal levels. Ironically, democratic structures at the Local Government levels were the first to be established in 1998 and served as the cornerstone for the subsequent emergence of similar structures at other levels following the return to civilian rule.
“Like the proverbial situation of a ladder, recent development seems to suggest that beneficiaries of these arrangements have turned around to kick down the very ladder they used to climb up, to be replaced by unconstitutional arrangements to service narrow, selfish and illegal motives.
“Questions that must be answered include: Why was it possible for elections to be conducted at both States and Federal levels and not for Local Governments as when due? If it is true that the essence of the claimed reforms of Local Governments is to avoid corruption, wastage of funds and inefficiency, why not at all levels? Is it right or constitutional to dissolve democratic structures and deny democratic representation at the Local Government levels? With the present planned arrangement in the State, is this not a time bomb waiting to explode, if competing interests are not sensibly balanced through credible elections? Is it not ironic that while the government is complaining of wastage and inefficiency at the Local Governments level, they have chosen an equally wasteful and corrupt means of siphoning public funds by appointing persons who are not accountable to the electorates?”
The group called on the honorable house as the true representative and the voice of the people to restrain the Executive Governor from appointing the illegal Chairmen, Secretaries and Ward Councilors across the State as this action is unconstitutional, undemocratic and unacceptable.
They also asked the House to prevail on the Governor to reinstate the illegally dissolved Local Government structures to complete their constitutional mandate OR immediately conduct elections into the Local Government Councils.
While concluding, the group said. “In conclusion, the legislature remains the major visible symbol of democracy and only a just and fair deliberation on this and other related issues can be good enough for the State. Overheating the political system now generates further grievances as it will only amount to adding salt upon injuries by appointing members of a political party (APC) by Governor Simon Lalong into positions that are clearly in contention against other political parties.
“The Legislature (Plateau State House of Assembly) must be alive to its responsibilities to the people, if democratic principles and values are to be embedded in this State and Country at large. Equally, it is instructive to strictly adhere to the constitutional provisions by ensuring the conduct of elections into Local Government Councils to avoid anarchy.
While appealing to the governor to see reason and avert a looming chaos, the said that it appeared that the relative calm and peace being enjoyed in the State is being taken for granted with such planned appointments in utter disregard for the wishes of the people and the Constitution.