The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has warned that a new Bill introduced by the Senate to establish an independent Local Government Electoral Commission could threaten the country’s democracy.
The NNPP criticized the proposed legislation, describing it as a calculated move to undermine democratic governance, alleging it is filled with fraudulent intent.
The Bill, titled “Local Government Independent Electoral Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2024 (SB. 531),” is sponsored by Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance. The Bill has already passed its first reading in the Senate.
READ ALSO: Buba Galadima no longer part of NNPP – Aniebonam
In a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, the NNPP expressed concern that the Bill aims to create an autonomous body responsible for organizing and conducting elections for local government chairmen and councillors nationwide.
“It is inconceivable that such a Bill is being proposed as a platform to conduct local government elections in the country,” Johnson said.
He warned that making this new body a federal agency would undermine its credibility, adding that it would complicate the already chaotic election process. Johnson argued that it would not only fail to improve the system but would ultimately destroy the remnants of Nigeria’s struggling democracy.
“The bill by the Senate to create an autonomous federal agency to conduct local government elections is a dangerous move. It won’t serve the intended purpose but will kill democracy in the country because it is prone to abuse and will certainly be exploited by the federal authority,” Johnson explained.
He also pointed out that Nigerians’ negative perception of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the criticism surrounding past elections—especially the recent Edo State governorship election—are reasons why such a federal agency would not work. He urged Nigerians to stand against the Bill.
“This is why Nigerians must rise against this bill. The protest against it must be led by all opposition parties. It can only serve as an additional obstacle to democracy because it is prone to naked abuse by federal powers,” Johnson added.
He concluded that the real issue with elections in Nigeria lies in institutional problems and fraudulent practices, which require strict enforcement of electoral laws rather than the creation of new agencies.
