THE Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) has fixed the 19th of October, 2024, for the conduct of local government elections in the state.
The decision by Kogi SIEC to conduct the council election might not be unconnected to the Supreme Court Judgment of July 11, 2024, that granted financial autonomy to the local government administration.
The Apex Court held that the local governments across the country should, from the date of the judgment, receive their allocations directly from the Accountant-General of the Federation and described the caretaker committee as illegal in the eye of the constitution.
Kogi State House of Assembly had on the 5th of July, 2024, extended the tenure of Transition Committee Chairmen by another six months during the House plenary session.
The extension was a sequel to a letter sent to the House by Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo.
However, at the first stakeholders meeting in Lokoja on Tuesday, while presenting the election timetable to the stakeholders for approval, Mamman Nda-Eri fixed the 19th of October for the election.
He assured all the political parties in the state, that the council election activities have been designed for inclusivity, transparency, and adherence to electoral laws.
Mamman Eri said the fixings were by the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, and the powers vested in the state Independent Electoral Commission.
He said a comprehensive timetable schedule of activities has been prepared to ensure a transparent, fair and credible electoral process.
‘’We assure you that these activities have been designed with utmost consideration for inclusivity, transparency and adherence to electoral laws. In the timetable made available, each candidate for the counsellorship election is expected to deposit N100,000 to the commission while 250,000 is to be deposited by the Chairmanship candidate.
“Similarly, anyone who has been dismissed from the public or civil service of the Federation or a state or local government area or private employment is not qualified to contest for any of the positions.
“Also, anyone who has been found guilty of an offence involving narcotic drugs or any other psychotropic substance by any court in Nigeria or tribunal in Nigeria or any other country cannot view fo any of elective position in the Election,” he stated.
While soliciting the continued support and collaboration of stakeholders for the successful conduct of the election, the SIEC Chairman urged the political parties to strictly adhere to the rules of the game.