Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger state has been advised to as a matter of urgency suspend the planned November twenty twenty five Local Government Election to avoid terminating the tenure of incumbent council executives prematurely.
Similarly he has been advised to refrain from dissolving or shortening the tenure of elected council executives from four years tenure granted by the Electoral Act twenty twenty two.
Chairman Human Rights and Judgement Enforcement Advocates, Barrister Mohammed Alfa gave the advice while addressing Newsmen in Minna, the Niger state capital.
Barrister Mohammed Alfa, also called on the state Governors to allow free flow of funds allocated to Local Government Councils without interference as enshrine in the Constitution of Nigeria.
He said they have launched a nationwide campaign to cause the state Governors to fully enforce the judgement granting autonomy of Local Governments Councils in Nigeria delivered by Supreme Court on the eleventh of July twenty twenty four.
According to him by virtue of S163(3) and (5) of the constitution of Nigeria, nineteen ninety nine the amount standing to the credit of Local Government Councils from Federation Account should henceforth be distributed then and be paid directly to them.
Barrister Mohammed Alfa however lamented that twelve month after the landmark judgement, how many states are implementing the order.
On the issue of FCT Area council he said under the Act, section Section 108 (1) provides the answer stressing that “An Area council shall stand dissolved at the expiration of four years from the date when the Chairman took the oath of office or legislative arm of Council was inaugurated.
Barrister Mohammed Alfa also challenged the Chairman Nigerian Governors Forum, Senator Hope Uzodinma to proof that APC Governors are aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu poverty eradication efforts by effecting total autonomy to Local Councils not later than a day before the next Federal Allocation is distributed.
He however added that they plan to lead a grassroot protest in solidarity with the masses at the grassroot if situation does not change before August twenty twenty five.
END ALIYU LAWAL.
