Former Labour Party governorship candidate in Imo State, Athan Achonu, has said state governors determine who emerges in the Senate, House of Representatives and state Houses of Assembly.
Achonu, who spoke on Tuesday during an appearance on News Central’s Breakfast Central, explained that governors exercise such influence because they control the local government system.
He stressed that Nigerians would only witness genuine democracy when governors are stripped of that control.
“Nobody has faith in anything in this country anymore. The judiciary is a problem, the legislature is a problem, and everybody is complaining,” Achonu said.
READ ALSO: PDP, ADC, LP kick as APC sweeps bye-elections
According to him, existing institutions were created to safeguard national interest and regulate governance, but they have failed in their roles.
“For example, the National Assembly are supposed to be monitoring ministries, but people are shouting that they use money to do this and that. There is the BPP – who should be held responsible? Who will tell a contractor that if he doesn’t approve an amount of money for a contract, it will not be awarded?
“They will award contracts and be challenging the president and contractor; meanwhile, there are civil servants whose responsibility it is to make sure there is appropriate pricing for these projects. So there are people we can hold accountable and send to jail over these things,” he stated.
The former lawmaker noted that the focus has always been on the president or governors, while the bureaucratic structures designed to enforce accountability are left unchecked.
READ ALSO: 774 Local Govts Still in Chains Amid Judgment
He added that until governors are stopped from dictating the political process at the local government level, democracy will remain stifled.
“For example, the governors control who goes to the Senate, House of Reps, and House of Assembly because they control local governments. Once they cease to control that, you will see true democracy.
“See what was happening during Obasanjo. If you are a governor and want to win an election, you will go and appeal to the people properly, but this time, nobody campaigns,” Achonu said.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
