“Governors Have Hijacked Local Government Funds” — Stakeholders

Stakeholders in Imo State have called on the Federal Government to establish an independent electoral body to oversee local government elections, alleging that state governors have taken control of local government funds. This appeal was made during a town hall meeting in Owerri, organized by SOS Children’s Villages in collaboration with the European Union.

The meeting, which included traditional leaders, religious figures, and civil society groups, expressed concerns over the lack of fairness in local government elections across the country. Participants highlighted the manipulation of electoral processes and the weakening of democratic institutions.

Eze George Nwosu, the traditional ruler of Umuekwure in Ngor Okpala, lamented the inefficiency of Nigeria’s electoral institutions, emphasizing the need for reforms. “We must strengthen our institutions, like the electoral bodies, so they cannot be easily manipulated. Weak institutions are why we cannot hold offenders accountable,” Nwosu stated, calling for urgent action to safeguard the integrity of the democratic process.

Sheikh Suleiman Yusuf Njoku, the Chief Imam of Imo State, described the current state of Nigeria’s electoral system as “unfortunate.” He pointed to the growing materialism in society as a root cause of the nation’s political troubles, urging Nigerians to prioritize values and spiritual reconciliation over the pursuit of wealth.

Ichie Levi Ekeh, Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Imo State, added that electoral offenders often go unpunished, undermining the credibility of elections. “We need to go back to the grassroots and stop neglecting election guidelines,” Ekeh said, advocating for a federal body to supervise local government elections and ensure a fair process.

Civil society representative Chimezie Ebosie echoed these concerns, suggesting the formation of a coalition to press for reforms that would restore transparency and fairness in the electoral system. The stakeholders agreed that immediate action is necessary to prevent further misuse of local government resources by state governors.