Once the government ceases to control, you will see true democracy – Athan Achonu

According to former Imo State governorship candidate, Athan Achonu, state governors wield significant control over who gets elected to the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly.

Appearing on News Central’s Breakfast Central, Achonu explained that this influence is a direct result of governors’ control over local governments. The former lawmaker stated that for Nigeria to experience true democracy, governors must stop controlling the local government system.

He said: “Nobody has faith in anything in this country anymore. The judiciary is a problem, the legislature is a problem, and everybody is complaining.“Like I said, we already have structures that are supposed to protect the interest of this country and checkmate governance.“For example, the National Assembly is supposed to be monitoring ministries – people are shouting that they use money to do this and that. There is BPP – who should be held responsible? Who will tell a contractor 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 that there is appropriate pricing for these projects. So there are people we can hold accountable and send to jail over this thing.“

“Everybody is focusing on the President or the governors, so the structures are there, we can’t challenge them.“

“For example, the governors control who goes to the Senate, House of Reps, House of Assembly because they control local governments. Once they cease to control that, you will see true democracy.