In a recent address to his constituents, Alhassan Doguwa, a member of the House of Representatives representing Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency in Kano State, emphasized the importance of having the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) oversee local government elections. Doguwa’s call aims to strengthen democracy at the grassroots level and enhance local governance.
- Need for Electoral Reform: Doguwa argued that without a review of the current electoral and constitutional laws, local governments will continue to play a minimal role in grassroots development. This, he suggested, exacerbates rural-urban migration and its associated issues.
- INEC’s Role: He expressed confidence in INEC as a reliable electoral body and stressed that only elections conducted by INEC could deepen Nigeria’s democracy and improve the electoral system.
- Challenges in Local Government Elections: Doguwa referred to past statements by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who criticized local government elections as being manipulated and reduced to mere “coronations” of ruling party candidates. Yakubu had highlighted issues such as poorly constituted State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) and the lack of resources for conducting fair elections.
- Support for the Current Administration: Doguwa also urged patience with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, acknowledging the current difficulties but expressing optimism about future economic and social prosperity. He highlighted government efforts in agriculture, infrastructure, and security as steps toward improving the nation’s situation.
Doguwa’s advocacy for INEC-run local government elections reflects a broader push for electoral integrity and effective local governance. By addressing these issues, he hopes to ensure that local governments can contribute more significantly to Nigeria’s development and democratic process.
