By Abubakar Suleiman
As the tenure of the current local government chairmen in Nasarawa State nears its end, the lack of clear plans for the transition of power raises critical constitutional and governance concerns.
According to the Nigerian Constitution, local governments must be run by duly elected officials, and any alternative—such as appointing Directors of Personnel Management (DPM) or setting up Caretaker and Interim Management Committees (IMCs)—is deemed unconstitutional.
Despite this clear mandate, the necessary electoral processes that should ensure the transition to new, elected officials are yet to be put in motion.
The issue is further complicated by a recent decision from the Federal Government of Nigeria, which aligns with a Supreme Court judgment affirming local government autonomy.
In this decision, the Federal Government declared that any state operating without elected local government chairmen will not be granted access to local government allocations.
This is a major shift in policy and underscores the urgency for states, including Nasarawa, to hold local elections in a timely and transparent manner.
The responsibility for regulating the tenure of local government executives lies with the state legislative assembly.
However, there seems to be an unsettling silence from the Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission (NASEIC), which has not yet outlined its preparations for conducting the upcoming local government elections.
The delay in rolling out a concrete electoral plan is worrisome, especially since legal challenges that initially caused a postponement have been resolved for several months.
This uncertainty has significant implications for the governance of Nasarawa State’s local councils.
The failure to establish a clear electoral timeline leaves a power vacuum that could weaken local governance structures and deprive local communities of crucial federal allocations, which are needed for development projects and basic services.
Furthermore, it threatens to erode public trust in the electoral process and in local governance institutions, which are the closest arm of government to the people.
The delay is also causing anxiety among those seeking elective positions at the local level.
For candidates who have spent time and resources preparing for these elections, the lack of clarity and action is a cause for frustration.
Without an electoral timetable or any public information from NASEIC on their plans, these prospective candidates are left in limbo, unable to properly strategize or campaign.
In essence, the failure to conduct local government elections not only violates constitutional provisions but also undermines democratic processes at the grassroots level.
To avoid a governance crisis, the Nasarawa State government, in collaboration with NASEIC, must urgently address these concerns by setting an electoral timetable and ensuring a smooth transition of leadership.
This will not only safeguard local government autonomy but also ensure the continued flow of federal allocations necessary for the development of local communities.
The current situation is precarious. The time has come for swift action from the state government and NASEIC to restore constitutional order, ensure democratic participation, and protect the rights of the people at the grassroots to have duly elected representatives managing their affairs.
