A civil society organisation, Secure World and Liberty Initiative, has called on the Lagos State House of Assembly to immediately commence the process of screening members of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) for confirmation of their appointment.
The group noted that the nominations were by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu since six months ago.
At a press conference held on Wednesday, Barrister Kayode Mogbojuri addressed journalists on behalf of the Registered Trustees of Secure World and Liberty Initiative. The conference highlighted the urgent need for the Lagos State House of Assembly to screen the nominees as members of LASIEC to be able to perform their duties, especially the conduct of the local government elections in the State.
Mogbojuri emphasised the importance of conducting local government elections as mandated by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). He pointed out that the delay in screening LASIEC members has stalled the electoral process at the grassroots level, violating the constitutional provision of democratically elected local government councils.
“The failure to conduct elections not only undermines democracy but also creates uncertainties in local administration and service delivery,” he stated. Mogbojuri raised concerns about the implications of the current impasse for governance in Lagos State and called on fellow civil society organisations, the media, and all Nigerians to demand accountability from the Lagos State Government and the State House of Assembly.
The press conference also noted the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly’s actions, which were allegedly seen as a deliberate obstruction of the screening process in an attempt to appoint administrative officers to manage Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), saying that, “This move was perceived as a threat to the autonomy and democratic framework of local governance in Lagos State.”
The Registered Trustees of Secure World and Liberty Initiative reiterated their commitment to pursuing the matter to its logical conclusion and urged the Lagos State House of Assembly to screen LASIEC appointees without further delay. “The call to action extends beyond Lagos State, with implications for democratic governance nationwide.”
The press conference shed light on the critical role of state governments and legislatures in upholding constitutional principles and ensuring democratic processes are respected. The need to safeguard democracy at the grassroots level was emphasi#ed, with the consequences of inaction deemed dire.
As the fight for democracy continues, the press conference served as a rallying cry for all Nigerians to stand together in defence of democratic values and the voices of the people. The urgency of the situation was underscored, with the hope that collective action can uphold the democratic principles that define Nigeria as a nation.