By Milcah Tanimu

At the South-South Leadership Conference of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Port Harcourt, Uche Secondus, former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, voiced opposition to the suggestion of entrusting local government elections to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He contended that such a move would strain INEC’s resources and run counter to the ongoing push for decentralization of powers in Nigeria.

Drawing from his extensive political background, Secondus questioned the credibility of national elections overseen by INEC, reflecting broader apprehensions about consolidating electoral authority at a time when there are calls for devolution to improve governance efficiency and responsiveness.

Additionally, Secondus called for a new constitution that better reflects the aspirations of Nigerians, criticizing the current one as deeply flawed. This perspective resonated with the conference’s focus on governance and regional development.

Chaired by Ijaw elder statesman Anabs Sara-Igbe, the conference also highlighted the marginalization of traditional rulers in the constitutional framework. Sara-Igbe advocated for increased involvement of these local leaders in governance, particularly in the South-South region, which is transitioning its economy from oil to gas.

Emphasizing the importance of agriculture for regional food security and economic diversification, Sara-Igbe highlighted the potential of the South-South in fish production for both local and continental markets.

The conference attracted notable attendees, including IPAC’s national leadership, political party chairpersons from the region’s six states, former Minister of Transport Abiye Sekibo, former Governor Celestine Omehia, Niger Delta activist Ann Kio-Briggs, and other distinguished personalities. Discussions revolved around “Good Governance and Security as Panacea to Grassroots Development.”