Local government system is indispensable in the development of rural communities. It is the government that closer to the grassroots, which basic responsibility is to put smiles on the faces of the rural dwellers.
Hence, the importance of local government system in community development cannot be over emphasized. For over eight months, Rivers council areas are administer by Caretaker Committee (CTCs). On several fora politicians, legal luminaries, social pundits and others frown at using Caretaker Committees to administer the affairs of the Rivers LGAs.
On Tuesday, the chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Prof. Augustine Ahiazu announced 23rd May as the date for the council polls. Immedialtey after the announcement, reactions trail the conduct of the planned local council polls.
Some said the decision of the Prof. Ahiazu’s RSIEC lacks constitutional backing, while others are of the opinion that, it refuses to give the statutorily 90 days notice to all the registered political parties to participate in the May 23 polls.
Local government elections is important because the destinies of the rural dwellers are being tied to the government at the grassroots. Thus the fire brigada approach to conduct of the council polls is not for the best interest of the state.
If Governor Chibuike Amaechi truly loves Rivers State as he claims, he would not think of conducting local government election at this critically time of transition.
May be Governor Amaechi has another motive to stir up political crisis in the state before leaving the Brick House in May 29, 2015. If not one cannot comprehend the rational behind the Prof. Ahiazu’s RSIEC to hold LGA elections.
Amaechi should not do anything that will ignite confusion in that brings long political/legal battle when he finally relocate to live with gen. Muhammadu Buhari in the Aso Rock. This I think it will not be healthy for our socio-economic and political development.
Rivers State needs infrastructural development, and not unnecessary things that will give problems to the incoming government under the leadership of Chief Hon. Barr. Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike. Amaechi, please rescind the plan of conducting the local government council elections on May 23rd, 2015. ###
Damiete West
08037502931
wdamiete@yahoo.com
