By THE Nigeria Association For Public Opinion Research (NAFPOR) says the Nigerian Senate should drop the bill to create a Local Government Independent Electoral Commission.
The association described the move to establish the federal agency as insensitive and wasteful, adding the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can be empowered to create a department to conduct local government elections.
The group reminded the Senate’s leadership that the Nigerian Constitution established States Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), which cannot be taken over by an entity established by an Act, as the Senate is doing.
“We therefore advise Nigerian Senators to engage in productive debate on how to alleviate Nigerians’ hardship in order to earn their keep, rather than wasting their time on a Bill that will not stand the test of time,” it warned.
In a statement issued on Friday, NAFPOR’s National Coordinator, Comrade Benjamin Atu, warned that if the bill was not repealed immediately, the association would lead a nationwide protest against the Nigerian Senate.
The association said the Nigerian public, both the elite class and layman, are all against the move of the Senate as their plans can still be achieved through INEC rather than duplication of function.
The association condemned the Senators for entertaining the bill and allowing it to scale the First Reading on Thursday July 18.
“The sponsor of the bill, Senator Sani Musa, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, who is supposed to be prudent, is seeking vainglory to impress his constituents that he is vibrant while strangling and suffocating Nigerians,” the group averred.
It maintained that Nigerians are lamenting the excessive wage allowances for Senators, rather than debating how to cut down on their salary like the House of Reps has done, they’re adding more burden to the Nation.
“It is disgraceful that the House of Representatives has become more elderly and concerned about Nigerians’ well-being than those who were once thought to be elder statesmen.
“instead of adding to the already bloated governmental structure, the National Assembly should focus on streamlining and optimizing existing processes.
“If we aim to reduce the cost of governance, why not empower INEC to handle local government elections through constitutional amendments?
“Consolidating these responsibilities under INEC would promote efficiency, consistency, and accountability in our electoral processes.
“Let’s prioritize practical solutions that promote effective governance and fiscal responsibility.”
The statement also called on other civil society groups to mobilise their members should the Senate refuse to trash the insensitive bill.
The group also urged members of the public to send their reactions to
nafpornigeria@gmail.com, expressing their disenchantment with the bill.
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