Segun Osoba Speaks Out Against Undemocratic Practices in LG Elections
Former Ogun State Governor, Chief Segun Osoba, criticized the practice of governors using their power to appoint their party members as local government chairmen, calling it undemocratic.
He expressed his views during an interview on Channels Television, highlighting the need for significant changes in Nigeria’s political system to make federalism work effectively.
Osoba pointed out that local government elections are manipulated, with ruling parties often claiming complete victory.
He noted the inconsistency between these local election results and the outcomes of general elections, which undermines the credibility of the democratic process.
His comments came after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of financial independence for local governments, ordering the Federal Government to directly allocate funds to local government accounts, bypassing the state governors. The court also prohibited governors from dissolving elected local government councils.
Osoba emphasized the importance of free and fair local government elections, free from state-level political interference.
He advocated for stronger party discipline and the end of “highest-bidder” politics, promoting direct primaries to reduce corruption.
He praised the party structure and discipline during the era of Pa Obafemi Awolowo and urged the APC to work on improving its current practices.
He acknowledged that while Nigerian democracy has not fully met public expectations since 1999, the stability of the Fourth Republic is a positive achievement.
Osoba also called for restructuring through a consensus approach, stressing the role of the National Assembly in this process.
