A Civil Society Organization (CSO), Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), has called on Kogi State House of Assembly to reverse the amendment of the Local Government Administration Law which empowers the State Governor to appoint caretaker leadership.
Executive Director of CHRCR, Comrade Idris Miliki, stated that the appointment of caretaker leadership is inconsistent with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
Speaking at a one-day town hall meeting held at community level on ‘Inspiring Youth For Leadership for Kogi Central Senatorial District’ at Afims Hotel, Okene, on Thursday, Miliki said the failure of Governor Yahaya Bello administration to conduct local government elections at the expiration of the tenure of elected council members is regrettable.
Miliki added that the unconstitutional imposition of caretaker leadership is condemnable and unacceptable.
“This has denied young persons from participating in political governance at local levels, and this contravenes the provision of Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
“Despite the illegality of the caretaker administration at local government council level, the appointments were not women and youth sensitive.
The town hall meeting called on Kogi state government to conduct elections into local government councils within next 6 months, through budgetary allocation in a supplementary budget as the current 2024 state budget did not make provisions for such.
CHRCR commended Governor Yahaya Bello for signing the Youth Development Commission Bill into law, thereby legitimizing establishment of the commission aimed at promoting the relevance of youths in Kogi State.
It, however, observed that there has not been any budgetary allocation to the Youth Development Commission since its creation, adding that the operation of the commission has continually been hampered and its development stunted.
The meeting thanked the Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) for the on-going sensitization campaign towards improving youth involvement in leadership at state level in Kogi State. It also appreciated The Nigeria Women Trust Fund and the continuous support of MacArthur Foundation.
