…Considers motion seeking to address underutilization of Ekiti State Independent Electoral Committee (EKSIEC).
By Editor
At the plenary sitting on Thursday 18th July, 2024, the House passed into law Ekiti State Property Protection (Anti-Land Grabbing) (Second Amendment) Bill, 2024.
The bill sponsored by Hon. Ebenezer Oluwayomi Ayorinde (Ido/Osi II) and Co-sponsored by Hon. Lateef Oluwole Akanle (Ekiti East II) was thoroughly considered at the Committee of the Whole House before it was read the third time and became law.
According to the bill, all payment made in respect of family land or property shall only be paid into a designated family bank account.
Furthermore, it shall be unlawful for holders of private or community land to alienate any part thereof by transfer of ownership, lease or otherwise without the registration of the approved layout and obtaining Certificate of Value from a Registered Estate Surveyors and Valuer.
The bill prescribed five (5) years imprisonment and 10 % of the value of the land in question as fine for offenders while also empowering the victim to recover the purchase price for the land, as the case may be.
Commenting on the bill and the contributions from members, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Stephen Aribasoye, noted that the House is fully committed to ensure our law permanently address the menace of land-grabbing in the State and that the law would empower the Government to tackle the activities of land grabbers popularly called Omo-Onile, quacks estate surveyor and estate agents.
“This bill is also important to protect investors from fraudulent land transactions and to maintain law and order. This, by implication, will encourage the verification of legal claims through litigation rather than resorting to violence.”
The Speaker thereafter directed the House Committee on Information to sensitize the people on the provisions of the law and engage relevant stakeholders in the State.
Motion calling on the Ekiti State Government to enhance the utilization of Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission for improved governance and democratic participation was also thoroughly considered at the plenary.
The motion was moved by Hon. Ayodeji Adegbite, Ado Constituency I and seconded by Hon. Babatunde Oke, Ikere Constituency ll. According to the mover of the motion, there are various ways EKSIEC could be effectively utilized throughout the three years election cycle to enhance governance and democratic participation in the State.
“EKSIEC may enhance its delineation and electoral mapping capabilities to ensure fair representation and effective electoral processes; by updating electoral boundaries, conducting demographic analyses and implementing advanced mapping technologies in order to create more polling units, wards and constituency for INEC to adopt.”
The seconder of the motion, Hon. Babatunde Oke, stated that Local government polls are a vital component of Nigeria’s democratic fabric, yet they often suffer from low voter turnout and lack of engagement. Enhancing participation in these polls is crucial for ensuring that local governance is truly representative and effective and this could be achieved by empowering EKSIEC to increase voters education and awareness.
“One of the key challenges in local government polls is a lack of awareness about their importance. Voter education campaigns are essential to inform citizens about the role of local governments, the impact of their votes, and the details of the electoral process. EKSIEC must start the campaign early, not few months to elections, through community meetings, social media, local radio, and collaboration with civil society organizations.”
Commenting on the motion, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aribasoye, noted that the EKSIEC law should be reviewed to incorporate some of the proposed resolutions without offending any existing law. He later directed House Committee on SIEC and International Agencies; and House Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters to give the motion further legislative scrutiny and submit their report promptly.
The Speaker further commented on the recent Supreme Court Judgment on Local Government Financial Autonomy, he stated that the judgment has not taken away the constitutional powers of the House of Assembly to make law for the establishment, structure, composition, finance and functions of councils according to Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). He advised people to desist from spreading fake news on social media with respect to the Judgment.
The House resolved to invite the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Ekiti State to shed more light on the Judgment through the House Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters.
The House announced a special plenary session on Friday 19th July, 2024 for Late Sanya Aladeyelu, a former member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly who served in the 5th Assembly from Irepodun/Ifelodun Constituency II.
Signed
Hon. Babatunde Oke
Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs
