The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the 36 state governors “to promptly disclose details of chairmen and members of the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) in the states, including their qualifications and political affiliations, if any, and the mechanisms of their appointment.”
SERAP urged the governors “to provide the details of the results of local government elections conducted in their states since 1999 and the voters’ register for any such elections.”
SERAP also urged the governors “to clarify and explain how your states have complied with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and international standards on the conduct of periodic local government elections in your states, including the details of any law regulating such elections in your states.”
Recall that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu had last week alleged that, “the conduct of local government elections in virtually all states has become mere coronation of candidates of the ruling parties.”
In a Freedom of Information request dated 1 June, 2024 and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “that the reported interference by state governors in the operations of SIECs and apparent manipulation of local government elections are clearly incompatible with Nigerians’ right to effectively participate in their own government.
“Local government elections in several states are susceptible to manipulation by governors.
“The appointment process of chairmen and members of SIECs and the operations of these commissions are shrouded in secrecy.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.
“If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel you, your states and SIECs to comply with our requests in the public interest”.
From John Silas, Lagos
Lagos State is now competing favo
