The member representing Port Harcourt Constituency 1 in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Victoria Nyeche said she voted in favour of Local Government's autonomy and the independence of the INEC.
Out of the 28 members present in the House, 27 voted against the alteration number 5, which seeks to permit local government councils to operate separate accounts.
The only female lawmaker of the 32-member House, Hon. Victoria Nyeche, however, voted in favour of the Fourth Alteration Bill 2017.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has rejected financial autonomy for Local Governments just as it opposed granting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) power to de-register political parties.
The lawmakers expressed their positions in their voting on alterations proposed in the nation’s constitution by the National Assembly.
Nyeche told newsmen that she voted in favour of the bill because she believes local council financial autonomy would strengthen democracy.
She said; “The Local Government autonomy is very critical because by its independence, they can be more accountable. Power should devolve from the centre to the grassroots.
I also voted in favour of INEC independence and power because as an electoral umpire, it should be able to hire and fire and de-register political parties. My belief is that any political party that cannot win a seat from Councillorship to Presidential elections in even one State of the Federation should be de-registered by INEC."
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