Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State on Saturday gave a nod to the recent supreme court judgement which granted a full autonomy to local government system in Nigeria.
Nwifuru expressed his administration's readiness to obey the apex court ruling on the local government autonomy at his polling unit, Oferekpe Agbaja Primary School in Izzi LGA during the local government elections in the state.
The governor said even as he agreed with the supreme court judgement on the local government autonomy, there is need for the state governors across the nation to come together and study the court ruling.
He said, his administration has strong belief in the democratically elected grassroots leaders in terms of strengthening development, through delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.
Nwifuru said: "Virtually, I agreed with supreme court judgement on local government autonomy in so many areas and since it has come, we still have some reservation.
"However, after studying the judgement, all of us will come together and know the outcome of it. But for me, I believe in democratically elected chairman because what constitution doesn't permit the governors to appoint caretaker leadership in the local government areas.
"Some people will get up and say that House of Assembly should make laws for the operation and administration of local government area.
"Constitution says that local government leaders must be democratically elected, so even if you are making laws, any law that runs inconsistent to the provision of the constitution is null and invalid.
"Since constitution says that local government chairman should be democratically elected, we the governors should try to keep that provision of that constitution.
"As for me, I don't know why governors should be appointing someone rather than giving room for official election."
He expressed joy that Ebonyi state eventually held the chairmanship and ward councillorship elections, noting that he has cast vote and affirmed that the exercise was moving peacefully.
He further noted that about 11 political parties participated in the election and expressed optimism that his party, All Progressives Congress, APC would came victorious at the polls.
"As a party man, am proud of my party, the all Progressive Congress, APC, and believe that my party will win landslide in all polling units in thirteen local government areas of the state.
"This is free and fair election, nobody is fighting or quarrelling, and all the political parties are here. I have seen 11 political parties at the ballot paper contesting the election. I hope the atmosphere will take us back to where we came, waiting for Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission will declare the results .
"When you talk about local government election, it became important in the society like ours today because government needs to be close to people.
"It should be the candidate, the people actually elect, should lead them, to ensure he/she be hold responsible if he/she fails to keep his/her campaign promises.
"If a governor get up to appoint you, you didn't fulfil your campaign promises you made to the people and you are not holding anyone's mandate. That is why I believe that conducting local government election is what people need."
Recall that Nwifuru casted his vote at exactly 11:23am alongside his wife, Uzoamka during the election.
