From David Onuoja, Abuja
The National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo, has called on the National Assembly to expedite action in amending the constitution of Nigeria to allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to conducts the Local Government elections in Nigeria.
The local government, he said is the third tier of government at the grassroots therefore, INEC should be mandated through the amendment of the constitution to effect that.
Isiguzo also said that, the importance of engaging with the media, especially in the context of elections, cannot be overemphasized. “The media serves as the bridge between the electoral commission and the citizens, ensuring that accurate information is disseminated, electoral processes are transparent, and the voices of the people are heard.”
According to the president, “the role of the media in this process is indispensable. As watchdogs of the society, we have the duty to report accurately and objectively, to educate the electorate, and to provide a platform for diverse voices and opinions.
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“We also want to appeal to the security agencies to equally extend the necessary support and partnership with the media in order to check incessant harassments and intimidation of journalists on election duties”, he said.
The NUJ President equally applauded the judgment of the Supreme Court on the local government autonomy. “This landmark ruling is a major stride towards strengthening our democracy at the grassroots level.
“However, for this autonomy to be truly conclusive and impactful, there is a need for constitutional amendments by the National Assembly.
“Specifically, the relevant sections of the constitution should be amended to empower INEC to conduct elections for local governments across the country.
“Currently, INEC enjoys constitutional authority to conduct national and sub-national elections. Extending this authority to include the third tier of government will ensure uniformity, credibility, and efficiency in the electoral process.
“In light of this, the proposal to create an Independent Local Government Electoral Commission is, in my view, unnecessary”, he added.
