President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio has indicated that the National Assembly will amend critical laws to ensure full autonomy for Local Government Councils in Nigeria.
Speaking at an event in Essien Udim, Akwa Ibom State, after participating in the local government elections, Akpabio highlighted key legislative hurdles impeding Local Government administration, including the State and Local Government joint accounts committee and the State Independent Electoral Commission laws.
He emphasized that amending these laws is crucial to ensure local governments receive funds directly and function independently, in line with a recent Supreme Court ruling. Akpabio also stressed the importance of free and fair elections at the grassroots level for deepening democracy and ensuring that development reaches the common man.
Reflecting on his time as Governor of Akwa Ibom, he noted that opposition parties had previously won council seats but lamented the current trend of state ruling parties dominating local elections.
Akpabio called for a re-examination of Nigeria’s electoral processes at the local level and urged citizens to exercise their right to vote, while advocating for parliamentary and judicial reforms to protect voters’ rights.
Akpabio emphasized that parliamentary action is needed to align the laws with a recent Supreme Court ruling that mandates direct funding to local governments.
He urged Nigerians to vote regardless of the outcome, assuring that legislative reforms will help safeguard the people’s will in future elections.