Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Otu endorses amended electoral law making councils' tenure four years

POSTED ON September 20, 2024 •   Politics      BY Benedicta Bassey
The Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu / Photo credit: State House

The Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu has granted assent to the amended Electoral Law passes by the State House of Assembly.

The law stipulated four-year tenure for elected Local Government officials.

While signing the amended Law in Calabar, the governor stated that, “I thank the Speaker and members of the House of Assembly, and of course, our own Electoral Commission for making sure that we have an up-to-date act that is ready to put the third tier of government into office.”

The amendment became pertinent following the Supreme Court’s verdict granting autonomy to the local government as well as ensuring that states of the federation ensure local administrations are headed by elected officials in accordance with the provisions of the constitution.

“Local government is very important. That is the government that is closer to the people than any other government that we have in the Federation.

“I want to appreciate the fact that you have done a good job and I know that Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC), will soon announce the date for the election and people will be ready; so that we will follow the rules of the game.

 

“We want this particular segment of our government to be active so that the dividends of democracy will trickle right down to the downtrodden and the people who need it most,” the governor added.

Explaining further about the amendment, Elbert Ayambem, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, told newsmen that “what we have done today is in line with the Supreme Court judgment that was passed abinitio, and the Otu-led government being a proactive one, decided that the third tier government must come up almost immediately.”

“For some time, we have not had the opportunity of having substantive chairmen in their right places of authority. And the governor thought it wise that we need to come up with the conduct of local government elections.

“And the House of Assembly looked at the CROSIEC laws and realized that there were some grey areas that needed urgent attention. And those grey areas are the areas that have been largely attended to.”

Ayambem further that one of the fulcrum of the amended Law was the review of the tenure of the office of chairmen and councillors from three to four years with their elected officials at the state and federal levels.

“As the Supreme Court judgment rightly had outlined the third tier government should enjoy the same status as that of the executive, the status of a governor and the status of a president where they have tenure of four years in office and not three years at it were. So we looked at it in consonance with the Supreme Court judgment.

“All that we have done is aligning strictly with what the Supreme Court has outlined. So we looked at it in consonance with the Supreme Court judgment all that we have done is align strictly with what the Supreme Court has outlined,” the Speaker said.

READ ALSO
Ned Nwoko’s Second-Term Endorsement Sparks Rift in Delta North APC
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 23, 2025 0

DELTA, Nigeria - The endorsement of Senator Ned Nwoko for a second term as representative of Delta N...

READ ALSO
Sanwo-Olu meets APC Stakeholders on Tuesday ahead of LG polls
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 22, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria- The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has organized a meeting with stakeh...

READ ALSO
SERAP Advise Tinubu to Refer Benue Violence to ICC for Justice
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 22, 2025 0

In light of the recent incidents of violence in Benue State, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountab...

READ ALSO
In APC, We Build Bridges, Not Walls, Tinubu Tell Akwa Ibom Governor
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 22, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu on Saturday officially welcomed Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom into the All Pro...

READ ALSO
Osun Raises Alarm Over Alleged Fund Diversion by CBN and AGF
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

OSUN, Nigeria - The Osun State Government has expressed concern about a purported attempt by the Cen...

READ ALSO
Tinubu Assembles High-Level Committee After Benue Tragedy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu announced the formation of a committee on Wednesday aimed at restoring sustain...

READ ALSO
Tor Tiv Urges President Tinubu to Foster Lasting Peace in Benue State
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 18, 2025 0

The Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, expressed that President Bola Tinubu has the ability to bring lasti...

READ ALSO
Benue Declares Holiday for President Tinubu’s Visit Amid Security Concerns
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 18, 2025 0

BENUE, Nigeria - To facilitate open discussions between residents of Benue State and President Bola...

OUR CHANNELS:

Qatar Closes Airspace After Iranian Strike on U.S. Base in Doha
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

In a swift move to safeguard lives and property, the government of Qatar has closed its airspace fol...


Tinubu Launches National Mechanised Farming Programme to Tackle Food Insecurity
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

In a bid to combat food insecurity and encourage youth participation in farming, President Bola Tinu...


NGX Opens Week Bullish, Gains N279bn Amid Renewed Investor Confidence
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) commenced the trading week on a bullish trajectory, adding N279...


EFCC Urges Students to Shun Internet Fraud, Embrace Positive Online Ventures
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has called on Ni...


Abia Govt Vows Crackdown After Cult Clash Leaves One Dead
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

ABIA, Nigeria - A suspected cultist was shot dead while another was apprehended following a violent...


Tinubu Showoff Chicago Classmate Amid Lingering Certificate Forgery Controversy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - Amid ongoing public debate over his academic credentials, President Bola Tinubu on...


Oil Prices Surge Amid U.S. Airstrikes on Iran's Nuclear Sites
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

Oil prices rose on Monday while the dollar gained strength following the U.S. airstrikes on Iran's n...


POS Terminals Drive N223tn in Transactions Amid Shift From ATMs
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 23, 2025 0

Point of Sale (POS) terminals processed transactions worth N223.27 trillion in 2024, marking a drama...


Ned Nwoko’s Second-Term Endorsement Sparks Rift in Delta North APC
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

DELTA, Nigeria - The endorsement of Senator Ned Nwoko for a second term as representative of Delta N...


AFN Will Not Block Favour Ofili’s Switch to Turkey – Okowa
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 23, 2025 0

President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Tonobok Okowa, has stated that the federatio...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu