As the frenzy towards justification of candidates for the 2023 general elections by their supporters gains momentum, an APC stalwart, former Vice-chairman Urue-Offiong Oruko LGA of Akwa-Ibom state, Elder Bassey Esin has questioned the promises of presidential aspirants.
In a release made available to our correspondent in Abuja, Elder Esin questioned lack of declaration of a stand towards autonomy of the Local Government, which he said is still a cause for concern as most local governments cannot fulfill their obligation as a result of absence of Autonomy.
He said no ” PRESIDENTIAL OR, GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE HAS PROMISED TO SUPPORT LG OR, JUDICIARY OR STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY AUTONOMY”:
According to him, “Which of these presidential or Governorship candidates has promised to grant LG, Judiciary and State Assembly autonomy, because this is what will reduce poverty and touch the lives of Nigerians for good”?
“Why are they afraid to make this commitment?
Esin said IT CAN ONLY MEAN THAT THEY DONT HAVE THE LOVE OF NIGERIANS AT HEART, THEY ARE ONLY PRETENDING.
He further said ,”it is not only infrastructure that will keep the people, there must be true democracy”.
“This is the period that the National Assembly should amend the constitution to include all these things, It is not just to shout for PVC”.
“There should be commitment by candidates to eradicate poverty by granting the autonomies to these sectors of Government”.
Elder Bassey recalled that during the time of NRC and SDP, the LG funds went directly to the LGAs and the Council Chairmen performed very well.
“They was competition among them to excel by providing dividends of Democracy to their people at the grassroots”.
He lamented that things have taken a down turn since the change in status quo.
Bassey said from then on or from 1999 to 2015,you can hardly see any Elected Council Chairman who has achieved anything for the council except he is extremely sacrificial because funds are not released to them”.
“Such a performing Council Chairman must have quarrelled with his Governor before he could get funds to do the little, so,the National Assembly should amend the Laws to include these autonomies, they should leave these legacies for the people at the grassroots”
.Elder Bassey Esin pointed out that God has blessed this Country and it is a Country that all of us should enjoy. He said God has given all the States of the Nation what should sustain the citizens. He however lamented that those in positions don’t want the goods to reach the people. According to him,the moment they are voted into office, ethnicity has started, they start sidelining those who voted them to power.
Elder Bassey also said ,if we need true democracy,State electoral commissions should be scrapped. INEC should conduct all the elections in the Country: From National to State to LG elections. President Buhari has fought to institute this autonomies but,the Governors fought him endlessly. We need true democracy in the Country. The National Assembly should rescue the Country From oppression by Governors by passing the necessary laws to protect the people from poverty.
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