Rep. Alhassan Doguwa, Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), has urged the National Assembly to undertake reforms by amending laws to allow INEC to conduct local government elections.
This, he said, would ensure better governance at both state and local government levels. 
Doguwa said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
He said the reforms should focus mainly on local government autonomy and the conduct of their elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) instead of state Electoral Commissions controlled by governors.
He said that the governors should also be held accountable for the economic challenges bedevilling the country, adding that they received a substantial amount of resources.
He added that only a few of them use the resources judiciously for the purpose they were provided for.
According to him, it’s not about the federal government alone because the country is running a constitutional democracy with federating units that must also be held accountable.
Doguwa said that the latest ruling by the Supreme Court on local government autonomy was a positive development for Nigeria.
He added that it would be better if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were allowed to conduct impartial area council elections just like they conduct general elections.
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He said the State Electoral Commissions conducting the local government elections were mere extensions of the party offices that controlled their respective states.
He said states simply shared elective offices with members of the ruling parties in the states.
He also reiterated the call on Nigerians to shun the planned protest slated for August 1st, 2024, over the present challenges facing the call.
He said that Nigeria is now in a tense state because of the anticipation of protests planned by some youths.
He said that the youth should be reminded that protest is not the way to go, adding that the protesters should rather pray for their leaders.
According to him, no responsible person should come out to protest something that was built on deceit.
“I agree there is hardship. We represent the people, and we are doing our best to help bring solutions to them.
“And because this hardship started almost 16 years ago, the truth is, it cannot be solved in just one year. People should not allow themselves to be brainwashed to participate,” he said.
He added that protest is disobedience to leaders, stressing that religious leaders and responsible people should call for peace, and “you should all remain in your houses on August 1st.
“If there is anything you can do for the country on that day, it is to gather people in your immediate environment to pray to Allah for Nigeria to have peace.
“As long as we live in peace, there will be development. As long as there is peace, leaders will understand the mistakes they have made and make amends, and Allah will help them work for the country.
