Report: Governors accused of interfering in local government polls

The report urges state electoral commissions to enhance civic education, ensure transparent processes, and support genuine political competition.

YIAGA Africa, an election observation group, has raised concerns about state governors’ significant interference in recent local government elections across Nigeria.

The organisation’s report, covering elections in 17 states from July to October, highlights issues including state meddling, electoral violence, logistical flaws, and low voter turnout.

The report stated, “Credible elections are essential for reinforcing democracy at the grassroots level and giving citizens meaningful voices.”

However, YIAGA observed that governance challenges, particularly from state authorities, undermine local government elections’ effectiveness.

“These systemic issues must be addressed to improve the integrity and credibility of future elections.”

READ ALSO: NDLEA confirms 20 aspirants in Kano LG poll test positive for drug

The ruling parties won all local government chairmanship positions except in Akwa Ibom and Rivers states.

In Akwa Ibom, the ruling PDP dominated but lost in Essien Udim LGA, home to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Yiaga advocates for reforms to improve electoral integrity at the local level. The group urges state electoral commissions to enhance civic education, ensure transparent processes, and support genuine political competition.

---

Join Our WhatsApp Group

Don’t miss out on any real-time information. Join our WhatsApp group to stay updated.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN

---

They also recommend establishing an index to assess electoral integrity, saying it “can serve as a framework for peer review, monitoring, and advocating for improvements.”

“To enhance local governance, it is crucial to strengthen State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs),” the report suggested, underlining that these changes would bolster local government election credibility and reinforce democratic values at the grassroots level.
#Report #Governors #accused #interfering #local #government #polls