Group urges Delta to hold LG polls

By Emma Amaize

WARRI — FORUM for Justice and Human Rights Defence, FJHD, has called for the conduct of credible local government elections in Delta State, as the current  situation where  caretaker committees are in-charge, denies the people of true representation at the grassroots.

The group, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Mr. Oghenejabor Ikimi, said: “We call on the Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan,  to immediately democratise the 25 local government areas  in the state in accordance with Section 7 of the 1999 constitution, as amended.

FJHD said: “The people at the grassroots have consistently been robbed of true representation at the councils to their detriment because of this contraption, and for the umpteenth time, we demand the conduct of credible council elections in the state.

“Furthermore, we also call on the National Assembly to pass into law, the bill for the autonomy of local governments  nationwide as a way of galvanising infrastructural development at the grassroots.”

The group also urged the state government “to observe strictly the provisions of Section 4, sub- sections 4 and 5 of the Delta State Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Terrorism Law.”