Kwara govt, electoral body accuse PDP of attempt to block LG funding
BY Moridiyat Ariya
The Kwara State government and the State Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC) have accused the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of planning to obstruct federal allocations to the state’s local government areas through an application to delay the forthcoming council election.
According to them, the opposition party sought this delay through a counter-affidavit, which was presented to Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.
Justice Lifu granted the PDP’s request to be present (Ex parte motion) while temporarily restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing national voter registration data to KWSIEC for the upcoming September 21 election.
This measure is intended to address the PDP’s substantive suit, which accuses the state of alleged malpractice and contempt of court.
Background
Recall that the Supreme Court has ruled on local government autonomy, placing pressure on state governments to conduct local government elections.
The Court’s ruling aimed to enhance local government autonomy and combat corruption, affirming that LG autonomy is crucial for grassroots development and accountability.
The Court ordered the direct allocation of FAAC funds to the 774 local government areas, bypassing state control. Consequently, states without a democratically elected LG chairman will not receive federal funding.
Court proceedings
During the resumed hearing, Usman and the legal teams representing the PDP, INEC, the Kwara Attorney General (AG), the Inspector-General of Police (IG), and the State Security Service (SSS) were allowed to present their arguments regarding the planned LG election.
Usman argued that the notice of election issued by KWSIEC was in line with Kwara State Local Government Electoral Laws and the recent Supreme Court judgment on LG autonomy.
He contended that the PDP had no legal grounds to interfere with the constitutional duties of the government and its electoral body in conducting the proposed local government election in Kwara State.
Usman asserted that granting the PDP’s request would undermine the Supreme Court’s order, leaving the state without a democratically elected Local Government Council.
He warned that this would lead to “the withholding of Local Government funds from the Federation Account by the Federal Government, thereby crippling the Local Government in the State contrary to the Constitution’s provisions.”
