A Political Advocacy group, Rebuild Nigeria Initiative has canvassed for the scrapping of State Electoral Commissions in Nigeria, describing them as anti-grassroots development.

National Co-ordinator of the group, Chief Hope Rex-Lawson made the call  Friday.

“We want states’ Electoral Commissions scrapped. They are mere instruments of political manipulation and fraud by state governors who use Local government Chairmanship and Councillorship positions for political settlement at the expense of grassroots development, thereby defeating the essence of the third tier of government. The Local government elections should be competitive. The National Electoral Commission should conduct Local Council elections,” Lawson submitted
He also called for the scrapping of the State-Local government Joint Accounts, suggesting that Local Government Councils be allowed to draw and control their funds directly from the federation account.

On the clamour for state Police, the group disagreed with the call, insisting that the Police Force should remain under the control of the Federal Government, to avoid abuse.

He however made a case for an increase in the size of the Police Force, as well as a total reform of the institution.

“The Police should still be under the control of the Federal Government. The size of the Police should be increased. More Police stations should be built. More credible and responsible hands should be recruited. Regular training and re-training is necessary. There should be more distress and quick response call centers, which should operate and function differently from the Police. Road Marshals should also be increased."