The decision by the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) to proceed with local council elections may be directly linked to a recent Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments nationwide. Issued on July 11, 2024, the Apex Court ruled that local governments should henceforth receive their allocations directly from the Accountant-General of the Federation, deeming caretaker committees unconstitutional.
Following this development, the Kogi State House of Assembly, on July 5, 2024, extended the tenure of Transition Committee Chairmen by an additional six months, as requested by Governor Usman Ododo.
At the inaugural stakeholders meeting held in Lokoja on Tuesday, Mamman Nda-Eri presented the election timetable for approval, setting October 19th as the election date. He assured political parties of an inclusive, transparent, and legally compliant electoral process.
“The election timetable is guided by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, and the authority vested in the state Independent Electoral Commission,” Mamman Nda-Eri affirmed. He emphasized the commission’s commitment to transparency and fairness, highlighting that candidates for councillorship are required to deposit N100,000, while chairmanship candidates must deposit N250,000.
Furthermore, eligibility criteria were outlined: individuals dismissed from public or civil service, or convicted of drug-related offences in Nigeria or abroad, are ineligible to run for office.
As preparations intensify, the SIEC Chairman called for continued stakeholder support and urged political parties to strictly adhere to electoral regulations to ensure a smooth and credible electoral process.
