The Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission has announced October 19 as the date for local government elections across the state. This decision comes in response to a recent Supreme Court ruling declaring caretaker committees managing local government affairs nationwide as illegal.
Following this ruling, the Federal Government stated that allocations to these local government areas, which lacked elected officials, would be withheld, as the joint allocation account committee is no longer legally recognized.
At the first stakeholders’ meeting held in Lokoja on Tuesday, Chairman Mamman Eri emphasized that the election date aligns with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) and the authority vested in the state Independent Electoral Commission.
Eri assured stakeholders that a comprehensive timetable of activities has been prepared to ensure transparency, fairness, and credibility throughout the electoral process.
“In the timetable provided, each candidate for counselorship is required to deposit N100,000 with the commission, while chairmanship candidates must deposit N250,000. Additionally, individuals dismissed from public or civil service, or convicted of drug-related offences, are disqualified from contesting,” he explained.
Eri expressed gratitude for the ongoing support and collaboration aimed at ensuring the successful conduct of the local government elections in Kogi State.
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