Mohammed Shosanya
The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has hailed the Federal Government on its stance to bring alive local government autonomy in Nigeria.
The Party conveys the commendation in a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary,Mr. Olusegun Olusola Adewara, wherein it said the gesture will rescue the local government areas from the dominance of the Governor,Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.
The statement alleged that Governor ousted the duly elected Local Government Councils in 2019,despite a court order on the contrary.
The Party urged Kwarans not to be swayed by the sudden announcement of election dates by the Abdulrahman-influenced Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC).
This announcement was a reactionary move born out of fear of the impending stoppage of LG allocations which the PDP called for since last year October,the Party said .
“A serious Governor ready for election will not appoint another set of illegal agents to hold our Local Government Areas hostage for another God knows the time.
“The Kwara PDP, although prepared to participate in the elections if they eventually hold, however, do not have any iota of confidence in the vague social media statement by Okanla-led KWASIEC. This is because of the many suspicious behaviours of Alhaji Okanla since he assumed office. To us, there’s not yet any convincing indication or preparation from KWASIEC that truly suggests Abdulrahman is ready to prosecute any council elections as announced.
“The PDP in Kwara perceives the KWASIEC declaration as a mere act of cowardice by Abdulrahman, who has consistently ignored the voices of Kwarans calling for an end to his imposed TIC administration at the local government levels since 2019. We are aware the governor had to quickly announce the date for council elections in a fire brigade manner due to the Federal government’s decision to halt allocation and transmit Councils’ elections mandate to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,” the Party stated.
Besides,the Kwara PDP has also accused Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of being an undemocratic leader who lacks the moral charisma to preside over institutions such as the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).
“Our Party believes that if the present Nigerian Governors’ Forum has a human face, the forum is not expected to put forward any challenge to federal government litigation at the Supreme Court to make the local government efficiently serve its people and be autonomous.
“Our Party calls on other Nigerian Governors who are members of the prestigious NGF not to allow Governor Abdulrahman to misuse the institution for his selfish aggrandizement and greed. Challenging the Federal Government’s decision at the Supreme Court could undermine the Forum’s hard-earned honour and alienate it from the vast majority of Nigerians clamoring for a more vibrant and autonomous local government system.
“We urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the respected Attorney General of the Federation to direct the Accountant General of the Federation to withhold further local government allocations to Kwara State until Governor Abdulrahman fulfills his obligation to conduct local government elections, as outlined in PDP’s press conference of October 13, 2023.
“The PDP assures the people of Kwara that we stand with them in their struggle against Governor Abdulrahman’s dictatorial tendencies and his continued exploitation of local government funds for personal gain. We encourage all Kwarans to remain steadfast and vocal in opposing these injustices,”the Party added.