Governor Bassey Otu has approved the amended Cross River Electoral Law passed by the State House of Assembly. A key aspect of this amendment is the extension of the tenure for elected council chairmen and councillors.
This change was prompted by a Supreme Court ruling that granted autonomy to local governments and mandated that states be led by elected officials in line with constitutional standards.
In his remarks following the signing of the amended law, Governor Otu expressed gratitude to the Speaker and members of the House of Assembly, as well as to the Electoral Commission, for ensuring the enactment of a modernized law that prepares the third tier of government for operation.
“Local government is crucial. It is the level of government that is closest to the people,” he stated. “I appreciate the hard work put in by all involved. The Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC) will announce the election date soon, and we expect everyone to be prepared to follow the rules. Our goal is to ensure this segment of our government is active so that the benefits of democracy reach those who need them the most.”
Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, told reporters, “What we accomplished today aligns with the Supreme Court judgment issued ab initio. The Otu-led government recognizes the need for the third tier of government to be established promptly.”
“For some time, we have lacked substantive chairmen with authority. The governor wisely deemed it necessary to move forward with local government elections.”
He added that the House of Assembly carefully reviewed CROSIEC laws and identified critical grey areas that required immediate attention, which have now been addressed.
Speaker Ayambem noted that a significant change in the amended law is the revision of the tenure for chairmen and councillors from three to four years, bringing them in line with their counterparts at the state and federal levels.
“As outlined by the Supreme Court, the third tier of government should enjoy the same tenure as that of the executive branch, akin to governors and presidents who serve four years. We structured this amendment in line with the Supreme Court’s ruling.”
“All we have done is ensure strict adherence to the Supreme Court’s directives,” the Speaker affirmed.
Rt. Hon. Ayambem reiterated the State Government’s commitment to conducting local government elections before the end of 2024.
