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The Kaduna State House of Assembly has dismissed claims that it is planning to amend the state’s Local Government Electoral Law ahead of the local government election slated for October 19, 2024.
Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Henry Marah, made this known during a press briefing in Kaduna on Wednesday, stating that no such amendment was listed in the order paper for the Assembly’s October 9 session.
The clarification follows concerns raised by the Peoples Democratic Party over the legitimacy of the upcoming council election.
The PDP, through its state chairman, Edward Masha, had alleged that the Assembly was working to amend the Kaduna State Local Government Law, 2024, just 11 days before the poll.
“The proposed amendment is a blatant contradiction to the Local Government Election Law, which was already amended and gazetted in July 2024,” Masha stated during a press conference on Wednesday.
The PDP chairman warned that the party would not tolerate any attempt to undermine the electoral process, accusing the Assembly of plotting to manipulate the election by altering provisions related to the declaration of results and the appointment of collation officers.
“We call on the Governor of Kaduna State, security agencies, and the general public to ensure the upcoming election is peaceful and free from violence,” Masha said.
He further stressed the importance of transparent and fair elections, describing local government polls as a crucial aspect of Nigeria’s democracy, as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution.
“It is essential that the election reflects the will of the people,” he emphasized, referencing Sections 23 and 24 of the Kaduna State Local Government Election Law, which detail the procedures for announcing results and appointing election officials.
Masha also cautioned that the PDP and the people of Kaduna would resist any attempt to rig the polls.
However, Marah, dismissed the PDP’s claims, reiterating that the House had not discussed or considered any amendments related to the electoral law.
“We have stuck to our order paper, and as you can all see, there is no mention of electoral law amendments. Since the July Supreme Court ruling on financial autonomy for local governments, there has been no such discussion in the House,” Marah said.
He acknowledged that an earlier amendment had removed the use of electronic voting machine due to logistical challenges posed by the short notice for the elections.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission increased the number of polling units across the state, and at the time, the state wasn’t prepared to procure the machines,” he explained.
Marah assured all that the Assembly remained committed to serving the interests of the people and would not act in a manner contrary to their welfare, emphasising that the legislative body operates independently and without interference from the state government.
