Shuaibu Usman

Nasarawa State Government  recently said local government elections in the state will be conducted in the next few weeks, insisting that court cases had stalled the preparations of conducting the elections as obtained in other states of the federation.

Currently, some states are holding local government elections despite several outcry of imposition of candidates and illegalities by state governments allowing their parties to sweep all positions.

Acting Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe said the Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC) would release the election guidelines as soon as his principal returns from his official visit from the United States.

He made this known during an exclusive interview with Newsmen in his office in Lafia.

He added that there is no doubt in the conduct of the elections, affirming that all parties would have a level-playing field to test its acceptability before the people.

Sharing his opinion on the conduct of local government elections by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and not State Independent Electoral Commissions, Dr. Akabe emphasized that whatever body holds the election, the loser would always complain, maintaining that whoever loses today can win tomorrow.

The Acting Governor asserted that power comes from God, opposition parties should be fair to the ruling parties as it does not matter who conducts the elections but the readiness of parties to accept the outcome of the elections.

In few days to come, local government chairmen in Nasarawa State will vacate their seats after three years of service at the helms of affairs of the local council.

There is high hope for the conduct of local council election especially as the Supreme Court made its verdict on the financial autonomy of the third tier of government.