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Over the past several years, the Labour Party has consistently stood as a vanguard of democracy and good governance, particularly in our advocacy for functional and autonomous local government councils in Nigeria. Our unwavering belief is that one of the primary impediments to Nigeria’s sustainable development is the inefficiency and underutilization of local government councils. These councils, which are constitutionally designed to bring government closer to the grassroots, have been systematically sidelined, rendering them unable to fulfill their core mandate of driving development at the local level.
It is no secret that the lack of progress and infrastructural development across many parts of the country is linked to the continued subjugation of local councils by state governments. Under the current democratic dispensation, local governments have been subordinated to the whims and control of various state administrations. This has, in many cases, stifled their independence, and instead of fostering development, they have become mere appendages of state governments, devoid of any significant power or autonomy.
The Labour Party firmly believes that local councils ought to be catalysts for grassroots development, growth, and transformation. However, they have been systematically deprived of their function due to the misappropriation of funds and the diversion of resources by state governments, which continue to monopolize power at the expense of local governance. It is the theft of local government funds and the undemocratic practices employed by some state governments that have rendered local councils ineffective. The resources meant for the people at the grassroots level are often siphoned off, with little or no accountability.
It is on this foundation that the Labour Party strongly condemns and expresses deep concern over the manner in which the upcoming local government elections in Abia State are being handled under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti. We must be vigilant to ensure that the electoral process is conducted in a fair, transparent, and democratic manner, free from interference or manipulation by those in power. The local government elections offer a critical opportunity to restore trust in governance and allow for true representation of the people’s interests.
We must state unequivocally that the Labour Party demands the freedom to organize its primaries without interference. It is essential that the party’s grassroots members in Abia State be allowed to freely choose their candidates through a transparent and democratic process. Only through such a process can we guarantee that competent and capable party members emerge as candidates, representing the true will of the people.
Over the past months, the Labour Party has continuously advocated for justice, equity, and the protection of democratic principles. We have called for the upholding of democratic standards, not just at the national level, but also at the local government level. We insist that those selected to contest for positions, whether through appointments or elections, must reflect the party’s ideals of integrity, accountability, and commitment to public service.
While we acknowledge the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti, we cannot, in good faith, overlook the potential for abuse of power that has characterized local government elections in many states across Nigeria. It is a troubling trend for state governments to skew local elections in favor of the ruling party, thereby subverting the democratic will of the people. We sincerely hope that Governor Otti, who himself rose to prominence through a mandate built on the people’s trust, will not follow in the footsteps of others who have used their position to manipulate electoral outcomes.
We are optimistic that Governor Otti will conduct the forthcoming local government elections in Abia State with the highest level of transparency and integrity. The process must be open, competitive, and, above all, democratic. More so, as a leader who ascended to power through the collective support of the people, we expect Governor Otti to uphold the very principles that brought him to office. He must resist the temptation to undermine the process and instead use this election as a model for others to emulate.
The Labour Party expects that the local government elections in Abia State will not only be a test of Governor Otti’s commitment to democracy but also an opportunity to set a new standard for local governance across Nigeria. The Nigerian people are yearning for credible elections, and it is imperative that these elections be conducted free of the undue influence of political elites. The future of our local councils and indeed the future of our democracy, depends on this.
Furthermore, it is important to emphasize that the Labour Party believes deeply in the democratic process, especially at the grassroots level. We remain committed to ensuring that democracy thrives in Nigeria, and we call on all stakeholders to support the integrity of the forthcoming elections. The upcoming elections in Abia State are an opportunity for His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti, to demonstrate his commitment to the principles of democracy, accountability, and good governance.
In conclusion, the Labour Party urges Governor Otti to uphold the tenets of democracy, transparency, and fairness in the conduct of the scheduled local government elections. We expect that these elections will be a reflection of the people’s will, and we trust that Governor Otti will set an example for other state governors by ensuring a free, fair, and credible electoral process in Abia State. The Labour Party stands ready to work with all stakeholders in promoting democracy and safeguarding the interests of the people.
We respectfully urge His Excellency, Governor Otti, to lead by example and use Abia State as a beacon of democratic principles in Nigeria.
SIGN:
Obiora Ifoh
National Publicity Secretary
Labour Party
03-10-2024
