The Kaduna State House of Assembly has refuted claims that it is planning to amend the state’s Local Government Electoral Law ahead of the upcoming local government elections scheduled for October 19, 2024.
During a press briefing in Kaduna on Wednesday, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Henry Marah, clarified that no such amendment was on the agenda for the Assembly’s session held on October 9, 2024. Marah’s statement came in response to concerns raised by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) about the legitimacy of the forthcoming council elections.
The PDP, through its state chairman, Edward Masha, had alleged that the Assembly was working behind the scenes to alter the Kaduna State Local Government Law, 2024, just days before the polls. “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.
Masha accused the Assembly of plotting to manipulate the election by changing key provisions concerning the declaration of results and the appointment of collation officers. He warned that the PDP would not tolerate any attempt to undermine the electoral process.
“We call on the Governor of Kaduna State, security agencies, and the public to ensure that the upcoming election is peaceful and free from violence,” Masha said. He stressed the importance of fair and transparent elections, highlighting their crucial role in Nigeria’s democracy, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.
Citing Sections 23 and 24 of the Kaduna State Local Government Election Law, Masha urged the state to uphold the procedures for announcing results and appointing election officials. He also cautioned that the PDP, along with the people of Kaduna, would resist any attempt to rig the elections.
In response, Marah firmly dismissed the PDP’s allegations, stating that no discussions or considerations regarding amendments to the electoral law had taken place in the Assembly. “We have stuck to our order paper, and as you can all see, there is no mention of electoral law amendments. Since the Supreme Court’s ruling on financial autonomy for local governments in July, there has been no such discussion in the House,” Marah said.
He acknowledged that an earlier amendment had removed the use of electronic voting machines due to logistical challenges, explaining that the short notice for the elections made it difficult to procure the necessary equipment. “The Independent National Electoral Commission increased the number of polling units across the state, and at the time, the state wasn’t prepared to acquire the machines,” he added.
Marah assured the public that the Assembly remained committed to the welfare of the people and would not take any action that would undermine their interests. He emphasized that the legislative body operates independently and without interference from the state government.
