In an exclusive interview with Dailytrust Weekend Trust, Barrister Festus Okoye, a former National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has called for a constitutional amendment to enable INEC to conduct all elections in Nigeria, including local government polls.
Okoye emphasized that no branch or arm of government in the Nigerian federalist system can claim absolute autonomy or independence. He stated that all tiers and organs of government must maintain a constitutional and legal relationship that guarantees checks and balances.
The former INEC Commissioner pointed out that presently, there are 37 electoral management bodies in Nigeria – INEC and the 36 State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs). However, he believes it would be better to integrate the functions of the SIECs into those of INEC to form a single central election management body for the country.
Okoye cited recommendations from the Electoral Reform Committee (2008) and the Constitution and Electoral Reform Committee (2017), both of which advocated for the scrapping of SIECs and the transfer of their functions to INEC. He argued that this move would eliminate staff duplication, improve standards, and give hope to those aspiring for elective offices within the local government structure.
The former Commissioner also emphasized the need to strengthen democratic institutions at the local level to make them accountable based on their powers and functions under the constitution. He stressed that democracy must operate at the local level, and councillors must exercise their legislative powers to prevent the creation of a new layer of dictatorship at the local government level.
Okoye concluded by stating that extensive constitutional alteration would be required before SIECs can be integrated into INEC, and discussions on funding and the mechanics of integration must take place. He reiterated that democratically elected local governments are a constitutional and legal imperative, not an option for charity.
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