Withhold allocations to undemocratically elected local council areas _ Senate tells FG
Nigeria’s Senate has asked the Federal Government to withhold statutory allocations to any local government councils not democratically elected.
The upper chamber of the national assembly unanimously resolved Friday that this move would deter the dictatorial tendencies of the state governors.
This resolution comes against the backdrop of a motion moved by Sen. Abba Moro on the urgent need to halt the erosion of democracy vis a vis the dissolution of elected councils in Benue State.
The lawmakers argued that the placement of Caretaker Committees to replace elected officials in the local council areas is an aberration, undemocratic and a breach of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Senator Victor Umeh (representing Anambra Senatorial district), who seconded the motion, lamented that the development has continued to undermine the local government system in Nigeria.
The Senate therefore condemned the arbitrary dissolution of democratically elected local government councils in Benue and other states of the federation.
They urged the Benue state Governor, Hyacinth Alia to adhere to his oath of office to obey the rule of law, review the constitution of caretaker committees and reinstate the elected council officials.
