|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The Secure World and Liberty Initiative has urged the Lagos State House of Assembly to promptly screen appointees for the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), nominated by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu six months ago.
In a statement signed by its representatives, Barrister Kayode Mogbojuri, Comrade Mark Adebayo, and Prince Adefemi Omoniyi, the group expressed concern over the legislative delay, warning it poses a risk to grassroots democracy.
The group revealed that on November 25, 2024, it filed a lawsuit at the Lagos High Court in Ikeja against both the Governor and the House of Assembly. “We are seeking a court mandate to compel the Lagos Assembly to fulfill its constitutional duty by screening LASIEC nominees,” the statement read.
Highlighting the significance of local government councils in providing essential services and fostering civic participation, the group decried the stalled screening process. They asserted that this delay infringes upon Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution, which safeguards local government elections.
“This inaction represents a breach of constitutional principles and undermines democratic norms,” they added.
The group raised concerns about potential misuse of power, emphasizing that postponing elections compromises democracy. “Elections are central to democratic governance. Their absence opens the door to unchecked authority and arbitrary actions,” they cautioned.
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, was accused of orchestrating the delay to facilitate the appointment of administrative officers to oversee Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in contravention of constitutional provisions. The group labeled this as “a deliberate effort to create a governance void.”
Citing a recent Supreme Court decision affirming the independence of local government councils, they called on Lagos State to uphold the ruling.
“The Assembly must recognize that its legal obligations are mandatory. Failure to act constitutes a dereliction of duty and a betrayal of public trust,” the statement asserted.
The group warned of the broader ramifications of the delay, stating that the absence of properly constituted electoral bodies jeopardizes governance and service delivery. “Lagos residents deserve better,” they emphasized.
They called on civil society, the media, and the public to demand accountability from the Lagos State Government. “This issue transcends Lagos; it concerns the future of democracy in Nigeria,” they said.
In conclusion, the group reiterated its demand for the Assembly to expedite the screening process, declaring, “Grassroots democracy must not be compromised.”
