The Supreme Court’s ruling that granted financial autonomy to local governments has compelled many state governors to hurriedly conduct council elections. But the desperation of the states’ ruling parties and their routine clean sweep of all vacancies with almost nothing for opposition parties

The gradual and reckless descent into anarchy in Rivers State, following resort to self-help by political gladiators in the state is appalling and stands condemned.

The Federal Government has directed the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) to increase its technical support to local councils, aiming to enhance fiscal transparency, accountability and effective resource management.

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has urged Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to extend their scrutiny to activities of Political Parties and State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs). Yakubu wondered why the civil society appears unperturbed by the conduct of local government elections by the SIECs. The INEC boss made the…

In Nigeria’s federal structure, the local government system is designed to operate closest to the grassroots, making it easier for citizens to participate in governance.

Foremost constitutional lawyer, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, has again insisted that the judgment of the Supreme Court which ordered allocations of funds directly to the 774 local governments in Nigeria is enforceable in all parts of the country. 

A civil Society Organisation (CSO) and election observer, Yiaga Africa, yesterday, kicked against calls for the scrapping of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) and the transfer of the responsibility of conducting local council elections

For democracy to thrive at the grassroots for the benefit of the people and national development, the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) should be made truly independent to conduct free and fair elections

Independent National Electoral Commission, yesterday, came hard on States Independent Electoral Commission (SIECs), describing local council elections, conducted in virtually all the states of the federation, as mere coronation of candidates of the ruling parties.