The director general of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Abubakar Sulaiman, said the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) should be allowed to conduct elections for local government chairmen and councillors.
Abubakar said this while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the “My Nigeria—Our Nigeria” debate grand finale, organised by Yiaga Africa and sponsored by the Society Foundation in Abuja.
Veritas University won the debate and received a prize of 1.5 million Naira. Obafemi Awolowo University took second place, earning 1 million Naira, and Imo State University came third, with a prize of 750,000 Naira.
However, according to the director general, “State independent electoral commissioners should be allowed to conduct elections for state local government councillors and chairmen, and state electoral umpires should be allowed to go.
“Through that, we shall get closer to the autonomy we yearn for at the local government level. And through that, the issue of fiscal federalism will be realised,” he said.
In his welcome remarks, executive director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, told the students to endeavor to fulfill their responsibilities to make Nigeria great.
While encouraging the students to act on the ideas presented at the event, he said, “Please feel free to do something about it and also reach out to us if you need to do so.
“We need to show love to one another as a people and as a country because we can only thrive and succeed in these turbulent times if we show love for one another.”
Professor Wadi Abdel Latif Adekunle, Head of the All-Nigeria University Debating Championship, urged the youth to engage, question, and debate.
“Your voices are not merely the voice of the future; they are the voice of the present. Through your voices and dedication to enlightened discourse, ‘ My Nigeria, Our Nigeria’ will evolve from a vision into a reality.”
On his part, the Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Mr Chris J. Miyake, represented by Mrs Joy Obaje, said, “As a regulatory agency of government with the mandate of ensuring the orderly development of quality university education in Nigeria.
“I will continue to encourage Yiaga Africa in this giant stride to foster critical thinking, eloquent expression, and a profound understanding of our country’s challenges and opportunities.”