Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has officially granted assent to the amended Cross River Electoral Law, establishing a four-year tenure for elected local government officials. The signing took place on Thursday in Calabar, the state capital.
During the event, Governor Otu expressed gratitude to the Speaker of the House of Assembly and its members, as well as the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC), for their efforts in updating the electoral framework.
He stated, “Let me thank Mr. Speaker and members of the House of Assembly, and of course, our own Electoral Commission for ensuring that we have an up-to-date act ready to put the third tier of government into office.”
The amendment follows a Supreme Court ruling affirming the autonomy of local governments and mandating that they be led by elected officials in accordance with the constitution. Otu emphasized the critical role of local government, noting that it is the level of government closest to the people.
He remarked, “Local government is very important. That is the government that is closer to the people than any other government that we have in the Federation,” and he expressed hope that CROSIEC would soon announce a date for local government elections.
Speaker Elvert Ayambem echoed the governor’s sentiments, highlighting that the amendment aligns with the Supreme Court’s directive. He explained that the previous three-year tenure for local officials has been extended to four years, bringing it in line with the tenures of state and federal elected officials.
Ayambem added, “The House of Assembly looked at the CROSIEC laws and realized that there were some grey areas that needed urgent attention,” emphasizing that the updated law was necessary for the effective functioning of local government.
The Speaker reiterated the state government’s commitment to holding local government elections before the end of 2024, ensuring that democratic governance is restored at the local level.
With these changes, Governor Otu aims to enhance the effectiveness of local governance and ensure that the benefits of democracy reach all citizens, particularly those in underserved communities.
