Senate introduces bill to establish electoral commission for LGs

The senate has introduced a bill seeking to establish the Local Government Independent Electoral Commission.

The bill, which was read for the first time on Thursday, has Sani Musa, senator representing Niger east, as its sponsor.

The proposed legislation was introduced about a week after the supreme court ordered the federal government to pay allocations directly to local government councils from the federation account.

The apex court held that state governments have continued to abuse their powers by retaining and using the funds meant for LGAs.

The apex court also ordered the federal government to withhold allocations of LGAs governed by unelected officials appointed by governors.

“An order that henceforth no state government should be paid monies standing to the credit of the local government councils,” the court said.

“An order for immediate enforcement and compliance with these orders by the state governments and successive governments henceforth.”

The verdict followed a suit filed by the federal government at the supreme court against governors of the 36 states.