Politics
ALGON Vows To Enforce Reinstatement Of LG Chairman
The leadership of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), has vowed to use all legitimate means to force the Imo State government to comply with the judgement of the Federal High Court, Owerri, which ruled that all the elected council chairmen in the state be restored to their various offices.
In a communiqué issued at the end of their 3-Day national conference held at Nike Lake Resort Hotel, Enugu, ALGON said the government of Imo State “is still flouting the judgement of court of competent jurisdiction”.
In another development, the constitution of ALGON has been amended to make the office of the national president of the body to rotate between the North and South of Nigeria, while the national president shall henceforth enjoy be a single term of three years.
The General Assembly resolved that the BOT chairman shall not come from the same zone as the national president and shall serve a single term of three years.
According to the communiqué, “BOT membership is increased to two representatives from each of the six geo-political zones. Other BOT members shall enjoy a tenure of three years, renewable for only one term”.
They also resolved that each L.G.A shall pay a monthly subscription of N50,000 and deductible at source from the Federation Account.
Their words: “The General Assembly resolved that chairmen of LGA councils in Nigeria shall enjoy pension benefits as being enjoyed by heads of other tiers of government in the country.
The 3-Day national conference was attended by council chairmen from all the 774 local government councils in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has joined the clamour for local government autonomy, saying the joint account regime had reduced the third tier to nothingness.
Abubakar, who spoke at the national conference of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Enugu, called on the National Assembly to ensure that it amended that aspect of the constitution.
He said that when he inaugurated the association in 1999, one of the aims was to promote the autonomy of the local governments.
He explained that the joint account by the states and local governments had left the local government less than what they ought to be.
Abubakar also condemned the government of Adamawa, his home state, for not conducting local government elections in the past four years.
He said the governor of the state was busy appointing caretaker committees so that nobody would question his activities in the state.
Also speaking, a former Senate President, Sen. Ken Nnamani, who chaired the occasion, said he supported the autonomy of the local government system so that local governments could carry out their responsibilities.
He said the conference provided an opportunity for all to explore ways to strengthen the local government institution and make it more functional and responsive to the needs of local communities.
Nnamani added that the local government was the closest tier of government to the people and provided effective platform for communities to contribute to and participate in the process of governance.
The President of the association, Mr Nwabueze Okafor, said the conference was one of the events to mark its 13th anniversary.
He said the anniversary coincided with the current efforts by the National Assembly to amend the 1999 Constitution.
Nwabueze said the conference provided a forum for the local government system, stakeholders and opinion leaders to meet and exchange ideas and experience.
Declaring the conference open, the Mexican Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Marco Antonia, said Nigeria and Mexico had many similarities.
The ambassador said both countries had more than 100 million inhabitants who play key roles in the affairs of their continents.
The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.
Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.
He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.
According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.
On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.
He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.
Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.
Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.
He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.
The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.
He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.
Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.
King Onunwor
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
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