No fewer than 13 states in Nigeria have set dates for their local government elections.
This move comes after the Supreme Court’s July 11 ruling on local government autonomy.
Kwara, Kogi, Bauchi, and Kaduna states have all confirmed their election dates and set the rules.
Kwara State announced that its local government elections will take place on September 21. Kogi and Kaduna states set their election date for October 19, while Bauchi State fixed August 16 for its elections.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has asked caretaker committee chairmen, sworn in last week, to start their duties despite the Supreme Court ruling.
In Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to grant autonomy to local councils.
“The recent decision of the Apex Court is a welcome development, it is also a huge relief to state governments,” Governor Eno said. He expressed concerns about how effectively the new order would be implemented, especially regarding the prompt payment of local government workers’ salaries.
The Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission will use a manual process for the September 21 elections.
The commission’s chairman, Mohammed Okanla, said, “We have put in place robust measures to uphold the integrity of the electoral process, from the voters’ register to the final declaration of results.” He promised that the elections would be “free, fair, credible, acceptable and inclusive.”
In Kogi State, the chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission, Mallam Mamman Nda-Eri, announced that the local government elections would be held on October 19. He assured that the process would be transparent and credible.
Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission set August 17 for its local government elections. The commission’s chairman, Alhaji Ahmad Makama, said, “We are committed to conducting credible and transparent elections and urge citizens to come out and vote.”
Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission also confirmed October 19 for its local government elections. Chairperson Hajara Mohammed said, “The current council members were sworn into office on 1 November 2021 and will end their three-year tenure on 31 October. KAD-SIECOM is ready to conduct the election on the set date.”
Despite the Supreme Court ruling, Governor Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State directed transition committee members to assume office.
The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Amidu Takuro, said, “The transition committee members have been ordered to resume their posts with immediate effect.”
