By Nnabugwu Chizoba (Development
Practitioner)
It is no news that the tenure of
elected political office holders, in the 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs), of
Plateau state, was cut short by the Executive Governor of Plateau state, Rt.
Hon Simon Lalong, when in 2015, he dissolved the office of the elected office
holders, and in the vacuum created, resorted to appointing Management
Committees to oversee the affairs of the LGAs to date.
The Governor’s action was
challenged in court, by the ousted political office holders, and judgment
delivered in their favour, at both the High Court and Appeal Court, declaring
the action of the Governor null and void. By this development, the courts
strengthened the belief of the citizen in the judiciary and also restored their
right to elect those they want to serve them as Chairmen, Deputies and
Counselors for the approved tenure of office in the various LGAs of Plateau
state.
The above is instructive, as it
draws attention to the excesses of the Nigerian political class, points to the
limits of their power, while educating the masses that power resides with the
people, in any election. On the strength of this, one is tempted to aver that
the judgment of the court is instrumental to the recent announcement of a local
government election, followed by the release of time table for the election, by
the electoral umpire: Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission, PLASIEC.
It is a fact that the judgment has forced the government and the citizens in Plateau
state to prepare for the LGA election, scheduled to hold in February, 2018.
As Politicians and their Political
parties are gearing up, to outwit each other, to secure as usual undue advantage over the
masses, there is need for the masses to up their own game; and heighten the
stake, by strategizing to ensure that they drive the process and determine who
rules them, after all.
In recognition of the above and
also taking cognizance of the fact that Election is indeed, a formal group
decision-making tool by which members of any group: Association, Union, Community,
LGA, State or Nation, decide through their vote, who will serve them. In the
forthcoming, Plateau LG elections, the “masses”
that is, the electorate, preferably addressed, as the power base, that has over
time been treated, as the beast of burden by the Politicians must rise up.
They must understand that they
have in the past been deceived and taken for a ride by the Politicians, a
narrative that must change. In this regard, there is the need for corrective
mechanisms, to guide actions and ensure that issues that really count are considered
in selecting those to be voted into office during the coming LG elections.
, has
therefore deployed her Platform to draw attention to developmental needs and concerns
of the different LGAs that demand serious consideration before the masses file
out to cast their vote to elect, who would serve them as Chairmen, Deputies and
Counselors, in the respective LGAs.
Travel along with us, as we take
you round the 17 LGAs of Plateau state (ONE BY ONE). Our first point of call is
Barkin ladi. Welcome on Board the journey... Enjoy your reading….
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