OUR BENUE : Senate demands reinstatment of elected councils in Benue

 The lawmakers also asked the federal government to halt statutory allocations to local government areas that are without democratically elected councils 

The Senate has condemned the dissolution of democratically elected local government councils in Benue and other states of the federation.

This is as it also urged the Federal Government to withhold statutory allocations to local councils that are not democratically elected across the nation.

This resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion on the “urgent need to halt the erosion of democracy and dissolution of elected councils in Benue State,” sponsored by Senator Abba Moro, (PDP. Benue South) during Friday’s plenary.

In his lead debate, Sen. Moro stated that using caretaker committees to replace elected councils is an aberration and alien to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

He noted that it is the constitutional responsibility of every state to ensure the existence of local government councils.

“Section (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) guarantees a system of local government by the democratically elected councils. There are subsisting court rulings directing the Governor, the House of Assembly, their agents and privies not to tamper with the tenure of the elected councils.”

In supporting the motion, Senator Adams Oshomole (APC, Edo North) noted that about 16 states in Nigeria are currently without democratically elected council officials.

According to him, the Senate should direct the minister of finance to stop releasing statutory funding to local government without elected council officials.

Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (APC, Oyo North) stressed that the Electoral Act should be amended to empower the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct local government elections in the states.

The senate thereafter urged the Governor of Benue State to review the dissolution of the councils and constitution of caretaker committees and reinstate the elected officials.

It further urged the Governor of Benue State to adhere to his oath of office to obey the rule of law and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.