The Independent Electoral Commissions in Kwara and Anambra states have scheduled local government elections for September 21 and 28, respectively.
The Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission announced that preparations are underway to conduct elections next month, which will bring in democratically elected chairpersons for the 16 local government councils in the state.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed readiness for the elections, while the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has voiced concerns about the process.
For nearly five years, these 16 local government areas have been managed by sole administrators, but the newly appointed members of the state electoral commission have declared their intent to proceed with the elections.
Similarly, the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission has confirmed that local government elections will take place across the 21 councils in the state on Saturday, September 28, 2024.
The commission has informed all registered political parties and the public about the upcoming elections, noting that the election timetable and other details will be available from the commission’s headquarters in Awka starting Wednesday, August 14, 2024.
In the past month, approximately 15 states have announced or conducted local government elections following the Supreme Court’s decision granting financial autonomy to local governments.
The court mandated that the Federal Government should directly deposit the 20.60% monthly allocation to the 774 local government areas in the country into their own accounts, rather than those controlled by state governors.
Additionally, the Supreme Court’s landmark July ruling prohibits governors from dissolving democratically elected local government councils.