July 20, (THEWILL) – The Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, has said that there is no voter apathy in the ongoing local government election, taking place today, July 20, across the 171 wards and 13 local government areas of the State.
Nwifuru stated this while fielding questions from journalists shortly after casting his vote at O02 Edukwuokemini polling unit, Anyawuigwe ward Oferekpe Agbaja in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The Governor said he believes in the provision of the constitution that local government chairmen should be democratically elected as enshrined in the constitution.
He added that governors were still studying the judgement of the Supreme Court on local government autonomy, saying there are some reservations.
His words, “I am very delighted and excited that despite the rain, people are coming to vote. It gladdens my heart and encourages me. I just cast my vote now. I believe that in no distant time, everybody who registered in this polling unit will come and cast their vote. As the leader of the party and party man, I believe my party will triumph.
“This is a free election, nobody is quarrelling and eleven political parties are here. I am very sure that at the end of the day, this atmosphere will be maintained until EBSIEC declares the winner of the election. When you talk about the local government election, I think it is very necessary for a society like ours.
“The government needs to be close to the people and it should be the person that the people elect because if the people elect you, you will have that responsibility to meet up with the promise you made to the people during the campaign.
“But if the Governor gets up and appoints you, you will not make any promise to the people because you are not holding their mandate. I think these are the differences that is why I think conducting elections for the local government areas is what the society needs.
“The people should continue to exercise their right. If you did not come out to vote, there are a lot of implications. The person that will win will definitely get up and say he is not owing you because you did not vote for him. It is better for you to come out and vote for the candidate of your choice so that you can get up and say yes, I vote for you and you are doing what you are supposed to do.
“The local government autonomy is right. I agree with the Supreme Court in so many areas and in some areas, I have reservations that we are still studying the judgement. After studying the judgement, all of us will come together and see the outcome of the judgement. Like I said earlier, I believe in a democratically elected chairman in our local government system.
“I believe in that and that is what the constitution says. The constitution did not say that the Governor should be appointed. A lot of people get up and say that the House of Assembly should make laws for the operations and administration of the local government, but did the constitution say the local government must be democratically elected local government.
“Any law that is made by the House of Assembly that is inconsistent with the law is null and void to the level of that inconsistency. Since the constitution says it must be democratically elected, I think all the governors must strive to keep that provision of the constitution alive. I think we should, not that you can just get up and appoint anybody to be a local government chairman.
“No, there is no voter apathy. It is just come and vote and go. You know it is raining and it is a time everybody goes to his or her farm. One cannot vote and stay without going to his farm. You know when you came here the number was more than what you can see now”, he stated.
Sunday Ogbu is a professional journalist with eight - twelve years experience that had worked with various print and online media. Sunday specializes in news reporting with the aim of educating his readers on current social, political and economic occurences within his area of coverage. Sunday is a strong force to work with in the media industry and uses his positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Sunday is inspired daily by his wife and their four children. In his free time, Sunday likes sight-seeing, reading and discussing issues of societal interest.
