National Leader of Action Democratic Party (ADP) in the South-south zone, Senator Roland Owie, has called on Nigerians to initiate a recall process against any state legislator who votes against the proposals to amend the constitution to abrogate State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) and grant autonomy to local governments.
Owie spoke at the weekend in Uromi when he addressed a meeting of ADP leaders and members.
He said it was about time that the stranglehold of the state governors on the SIEC in the conduct of local government elections was broken, stressing that abrogation of SIEC would satisfy that yeaning.
Commending the National Assembly for voting in favour of local government autonomy and abrogation of SIEC, Owie stated that well-meaning Nigerians, including civil society organisations, should exert pressure on state legislators to do the needful by voting in concurrence with federal legislature whenever they consider the constitution amendment bill.
He reminded the gathering of the perfidy that the Edo state government under Adams Oshiomhole committed in the last local government election in Esan Northeast Local Government election when the result, which was supposed to b announced in Uromi, was announced in Benin while the collation was still going on in Uromi.
According to him, “It was here in Uromi, in the last local government elections that while collation was ongoing, results were being announced in Benin.”
Owie insisted that local government autonomy would bolster accountable grassroots development, pointing out that local government should be enabled to unlock its potential to stimulate local administration and development.
He also disclosed at the meeting that ADP “is Nigeria’s political Noah’s Ark,” point out that “The party is massively recruiting men, women and youths of goodwill from the existing political parties and those great technocrats and business men and women, who have been watching from the sidelines for a long time while our great country was being wounded.
“Nigeria was being wounded and is still being savaged to the extent that after 16 years of civilian administration, Lagos-Ota road, Lagos-Ibadan road, East-West road, 2nd Niger Bridge, Benin-Abuja road are still a mirage.
“Within these 16 years, flourishing parastals established by our founding fathers like NITEL, Aladja Steel, Ajaokuta Steel, Iwopin Paper Mill, Bacita Sugar company to mention a few were sold off by prodigal admstrations. As at today most pensioners of were never paid a dime. What an injustice!”
Owie called on patriots to rise now and come on board ADP to save Nigeria.