House of Representatives Demand Democratically Instituted Local Government Councils Across the States of the Federation
The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Executive Council and President Muhammed Buhari to prevail upon the State Governments in the federation that are in breach of the constitutional provision of section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution, to ensure that there are democratically elected Local Government Councils in their respective States. This resolution was passed during plenary session on Tuesday, December 1, 2015, following a motion calling for the sustenance and promotion of democratic Local Government administration and good governance, moved by Hon. Afe Olowookere.
He stated that the aforementioned section of the Constitution makes it pertinent for the State Governments to ensure that the Federal Republic of Nigeria remains a State based on the principles of democracy and social justice. He pointed out that the absence of Local Government administration has resulted to failure of the Councils to perform their statutory functions; adding that the trend has hindered the attainment of socio-economic, political developments and good governance at the grassroots level as well.
More so, the situation has also made the Local Government Councils not to be accountable to the people as it should, he said.
Hon. Olowookere decried the institution of an amorphous system known as "Caretaker Committees" in Local Government administration in most States of the Federation, reiterating that it is completely strange to the 1999 Constitution. Also, it has deprived Nigerian people the opportunity to participate in government and reap the dividends of democracy. He prayed the House to weigh in on the matter and help save democratic institutions in the country.
The Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor who lent his voice to the debate said that the replacement of democratically elected Local Government Councils with "Caretaker Committee" is an embarrassment to the country. He emphasized that the trend will culminate into the dearth of development at the grassroots if not checked.
Hon. Zakari Muhammed added that the Caretaker system has eroded the position of Councilors while other members who spoke appealed to the State Houses of Assembly to be alive to their responsibilities and take urgent action to check the trend.
The Tuesday's plenary also saw a resolution that urged the Federal Ministry of Health and the Committee on Health Services to make adequate budgetary provisions in the 2016 Appropriations proposals for National Blood Transfusion Service. Adding that National Orientation Agency and other relevant agencies should create more awareness across the country on the need for voluntary blood donations.