NASS splits over moves for new electoral body for LG elections

By Stephen Asaba-ase

The National Assembly of Nigeria is planning to establish a new electoral body, the Independent Local Government Electoral Commission (NILGEC), to oversee local government elections.

This move has generated controversy, as it would strip state independent electoral commissions of their power to conduct these elections.

The bill, initiated by Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, aimed to centralise the control of local government elections, which had raised concerns about federalism and the autonomy of states.

However, critics argued that this move would undermine the principles of federalism and potentially lead to an overconcentration of power in the federal government.