How to become a Local Government Councillor in Nigeria

Local Government Councillor in Nigeria: Requirements

Nigeria has 774 Local Governments Areas (LGA). Each LGA is administered by a Local Government Council. The Council comprises of the Chairman who is the Chief Executive of the LGA, and other elected members referred to as Councillors. The role of the councillor is a legislative one. Their role is to make laws for the local government area, similar to what the House of Assembly members do at the state level and what the National Assembly members do at the federal level. Councillors represent their ward at the legislative arm of their local government. This article examines the process of being appointed a Local Government Councillor in Nigeria.

A Local Government Councillor is a member of the Local Government Council who participates in the decision-making of the Council and represents the local community in that decision making and contributes to the strategic direction of the Council through the development and review of key strategic documents of the Council, including the Council Plan.

The Councillor is obliged to consider the diversity of interests and needs of the local community and observe principles of good governance and act with integrity. In addition, the Councillor participates in the responsible allocation of resources of Council through the annual budget and facilitates effective communication between the Council and the community

QUALIFICATION AS A COUNCILLOR

1. be a citizen of Nigeria
2. Must be at least 25 years old
3. Must be a member of a political party and must be sponsored by the party
4. Must hold the minimum of School Certificate(WASSCE) or its equivalent.

DISQUALIFICATION TO CONTEST AS A COUNCILLOR

1. has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of another country other than Nigeria or has made a declaration of allegiance to that other country in cases not permitted by the National Assembly
2. is declared to be a lunatic or of unsound mind by a law in force in any part of Nigeria
3. has been sentenced to death by a court of law or tribunal in Nigeria or has been sentenced to imprisonment for an offence involving dishonesty or fraud
4. is an undischarged bankrupt having been declared bankrupt under any law in force in any part of Nigeria
5. is employed in the civil service or public service of the Federation or of any state or any local government and he has not retired, resigned or withdrawn from that employment thirty (30) days before the date of the election
6. is a member of a secret society
7. has been accused/charged for embezzlement or fraud by the Judicial Commission of inquiry or a tribunal under the Tribunals Inquiry Act or any other law set up by the Federal, state or local government;
8. Has presented a forged certificate to the State Electoral Commission

A candidate is expected to fulfil all conditions to be qualified.

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