From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Worried over the none conduct of local government election in Kogi state since the inception of Governor Bello-led administration, the Inclusive Forum For Accountable Society (IFAS) has concluded plan to carry out advocacy visit to the State House of Assembly, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) for necessary sensitization on the need to install democratically elected government at the grassroots level.
The Forum observed that the urgent need for the conduct of the elections into the 21 governments of the state had become imperative to enable them fully benefit from the financial autonomy recently granted the 774 local government areas in Nigeria by the federal.
Chairman of the forum, Hamza Aliyu who gave the hint while speaking at the stakeholders gathering at the weekend to brainstorm on accountability and transparency in governance, noted that part of the conditions for council areas to have access to the direct allocation approved by the federal government is to put in place democratically elected local government officials which he said should be strictly adhered to in Kogi state.
The chairman enumerated some of the silent issues deliberated upon at the forum to include, the problem faced by the poor and vulnerable people which have been neglected, soliciting government and public attention on positive change and social reorientation, creation of dialogue and exchange of ideas, learning and sharing of best practices in governance and bridge capacity gaps, generation of a critical mass based on informed and common understanding of issues and identification of capacity gaps on the supply side affecting quality of service delivery and participatory in governance.
He also called for effective participation of citizens in all elections in the country and proper voters education to avoid cases of electoral frauds such as political thuggery and vote buying and selling among others.
The forum however, identified five thematic areas that both the leaders and and the led at all levels of government should join hands to improve upon, namely good governance, security/food security, education, environment and women’s right in the society.
The Executive Director, Participation Initiative For Behavioral Change In Development (PIBCID), Gift Omoniwa who also spoke at the forum stressed the need for attitudinal change among citizens capable of complementing government’s efforts to boost good governance.
