In a bold move, the Nigerian Senate has urged the Federal Government to withhold funds from Local Government Areas (LGAs) where elections are marred by irregularities, accusing state governments of staging sham polls akin to the appointment of caretaker committees.
The Senate’s action followed the recent outcry over the Benue State Local Government elections held on October 5, 2024, which lawmakers branded as a complete disregard for democratic norms.
According to the Senate, the elections lacked transparency, with voters left waiting for hours, election materials absent at polling units, and results seemingly predetermined by ruling party officials.
Senator Abba Moro, representing Benue South, spearheaded the motion, supported by fellow Senators Titus Zam (Benue North West), Emmanuel Udende (Benue North East), and Tony Nwoye (Anambra North).
Moro described the election process in Benue as an orchestrated “coronation” for the ruling party’s candidates, conducted in private homes of political leaders instead of polling stations.
Senators across party lines echoed his sentiment. Senator Emmanuel Udende, a member of the ruling party, admitted that no legitimate elections took place in Benue, aligning himself with the truth over political loyalty. Similarly, Senator Zam condemned the process as a “political crime” that undermines Nigeria’s democratic foundations, while Senator Ahmed Lawan highlighted that complaints about the integrity of local elections have persisted for over two decades.
Senate Deputy President Barau Jibrin took it a step further, calling the situation a “national democratic calamity” that requires immediate constitutional reforms. He urged for the abolition of State Independent Electoral Commissions, advocating for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take control of local elections to restore credibility.
The Senate also proposed a national dialogue with state governors and a meeting with President Bola Tinubu to explore legislative solutions.
Among the proposals were constitutional amendments that would ensure full financial autonomy for local governments and reforms to empower INEC to oversee their elections.
In a final resolution, the Senate demanded fresh elections in areas where irregularities were rampant, sending a clear message that the era of fraudulent local elections must come to an end.