TMG deploys observers for Ogun LG polls, says caretaker C’ttee illegal

As Ogun prepares to conduct local government polls, there is need to break political hegemony and bring governance to the people pursuant to the time-table and schedule of activities released by the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSEIC) for the Local Government election scheduled to hold on 8th  of October, 2016, the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) as part of its commitment to promoting free, fair as well as effective and accountable management of election in the country has decided to observe the election process to ensure compliance during the scheduled LG election in the State.

According to a press release on Friday by TMG and signed by its Chairperson, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi,  TMG in collaboration with its members will deploy citizen observers across the twe20local governments in the State to observe the Election Day processes and conduct of the security and other stakeholders during the election.

“TMG commends the government and people of Ogun State for this laudable initiative and enjoin eligible voters to go out enmasse to exercise their franchise. We equally call on states which are yet to conduct local government elections to emulate Ogun State by making a prompt arrangement to do so and not resorting to governance by caretaker committees which has no constitutional backing. It is instructive to note that some of the developments that have opened up the country came after the local government reforms of 1976.

“The system of local governance by democratically elected local government councils is guaranteed under section 7 (1) of the 1999 Constitution. Though LGAs are the closest political units to the people and most important in Nigeria’s democracy, LGA elections have become the most constitutionally abused subject in Nigeria. Elections at this level have suffered setbacks, neglect and left at the whims and caprices of incumbent state governments who are making a mockery of the whole essence of bringing governance closer to the people as a mechanism for engendering development at the grassroots level.

“As the indigenes of Ogun head to the polls, we call on all stakeholders to take the local government elections as serious as other national or state elections in the country.

“The State election management body should guarantee strict compliance to the Election Day Procedure and ensure early deployment of personnel and materials as we also call on the security personnel to be professional in their conduct while the election lasts.

“While appreciating the commitment of the security agency to the electioneering process, we also enjoin them to ensure adequate deployment of personnel to maintain law and order at the polling units”.