Concerned Labour Party Critical Stakeholders in Bayelsa State organized a demonstration in Yenagoa on Thursday in response to the claimed unwillingness of the state government to conduct local government elections.Information Guide Nigeria
The state’s elected local government council chairmen’s terms expired on August 14, 2022, and the councils are currently led by personnel management directors.
As a result of the government’s failure to organize local government elections, the LP demonstrators carrying placards, led by Christopher Timi-Ogosi, protested that the grassroots population was being denied development.
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Governor Douye Diri was accused of meddling with the functioning of local government councils, and it was emphasized that the country’s constitution must be revised to ensure democratic autonomy for councils.
He lamented, “Democracy has not been sustained in local government councils in the state due to certain factors like the unnecessary delay in the conduct of election as witnessed under the Prosperity Administration of Governor Douye Diri in Bayelsa State.”
Timi-Ogosi, who is the LP candidate for Sagbama Local Government Area, said, “I, therefore, call on Governor Douye Diri and the Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission to put the necessary machineries in place and conduct local government election so that the people at the grassroots can feel the impact of government and also enjoy its dividends.NYSC portal
“We all know that the non-conduct of the election means shortchanging the local government areas and depriving the areas better development. The government should be an enabler of growth and development, not an impediment.JAMB portal
“The delay by BYSIEC to conduct the election is at variance with Section 26 (a) of the Electoral Act and it is illegal for non-elected persons to occupy council positions, administer and appropriate local government funds, as this hampers grassroots development.
“Observations have been made, questions have been raised and still no answers have been given as to why the election has not been conducted without any genuine reason.”
Also speaking, the secretary of LP in the Sagbama LGA, Stephen Morris, said the rural dwellers were not happy that the state government had not conducted local government polls, adding that the development of the state could not be complete without giving attention to the rural areas.
Morris said, “We are appealing to the Bayelsa State governor to conduct local government elections. Bayelsa State is for all. He alone cannot develop Bayelsa State, and for the state to develop, it must rely on the grassroots.JAMB Result
“And if there is no leadership at the grassroots there shall be no development and government.”