Advertisement

Mr Nonso Nnamani, House of Representative Candidate for the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Enugu State, has pledged to introduce a bill to remove power to conduct Local Government elections from state governors, if elected.

Nnamani, who seeks to represent Enugu North and Enugu South Federal Constituency, said this while unveiling his manifesto themed: “Putting You First: A Manifesto for Transforming Enugu North and South Federal Constituency” in Enugu on Wednesday.

Advertisement

According to him, the local government is one of the most important tiers of government, because of its nearness to the people at the grassroots.

He said: “We cannot have massive developments until we allow the council areas to function independently.

“Some levels of success have been achieved through separation of joint accounts with state but more so need to be done with the local government area election.

Advertisement

“Up until now, local government area elections have been independently conducted by states and their electoral bodies, allowing each of the state government full autonomy on the elections and who emerges and this has not helped in real democracy.

“My agenda is to limit or remove such control from the grip of state governments (governors) allowing for more transparency and accountability in council elections in our states.”

Nnamani said that he would identify and support bills that facilitate quick and efficient delivery of processes, programmes and projects for benefit of all Nigerians especially those that affect his constituents.

“I will promote and push for bills in very necessary areas of our society that over the years has not received attention it so deserves to the importance and how sensitive they are to our societal development,” he said.

Advertisement

The House of Representatives hopeful said that he would be a representative that would be easily accessible to the people who gave him the mandate to represent them.

Nnamani said that he was going to have two constituency offices for each local government in his constituency.

He said that the offices would not only be used as a means “for our people to reach out to me but I will also use it for the following purposes:

Advertisement

“For data gathering purposes and this will allow us to be effective in our representation. We will have to be well acquainted with the details of the facts in our community.

“My office will make sure that all the information as regards the community will continuously be collated and updated.

“Information like the number of startup businesses in our community and job seekers among others will help us assess the needs and know how to help improve the welfare of these people.

“My constituency office will also be involved in assessing what is needed to be done so we can channel resources appropriately for constituency projects; through enquiring from the people regarding their needs and wants,” he said.

Nnamani said his office would support and provide legal intervention in settling disputes and issues, provide legal aid to the poor, defend human rights of every individual including the less privileged and the disabled.

He noted that in his constituent he intend to give everybody an equal platform for growth and development in order to maximise their individual potentials.

He said: “I will provide internship opportunities and mentorship for young and new leaders to learn the craft of public and political leadership.

“My mandate is transformational leadership and that can only be sustained when we are able to transform the knowledge and morals of good leaders to the upcoming generation.

“I will be holding town hall meetings in different communities within my constituency.

“The people need to have an idea of the activities of the person representing them and they also need to understand what goes on in the legislative house and this town hall will be used as a means for this interaction”.