Politics
Stakeholders Chart Path To Effective LG Administration
Stakeholder at the local government areas have called for an all-inclusive, transparent and efficient management of resources and personnel at the grassroot level.
Making their views public during the public hearing of the Rivers State Local Government Bill 2018 (HA9) last Friday, some of the stakeholders say there was need to adopt a transparent accounting system driven by modern information technology.
Presenting his Memoranda on the bill, Auditor-General of the Local Government Councils, Mr Bema Friday said a major challenge in running local government council stems from poor accounting system that is obsolete.
Besides, he recommended, “each local government should have powers to establish a business entity and regulate it”.
The Local Government Council Auditor-General further sought for a consolidated salary scheme for Heads of Local Government Administration, that he said would improve job security and accountability at the councils.
President of National Union of Local Government Employees Union (NULGE), Comrade Franklin Ajunwo, submitted that since the inception of democracy in 1999, most laws of the local councils have not been reviewed and lauded the State Assembly for the initiative.
The Rivers NULGE President however frowned at the huge deductions on the allocation of councils, as he expressed fears that if such deductions continue, it would be difficult to pay council workers.
A representative of the non-governmental organisations from the Citizens Voice Initiative, Sebastian Kpalab argued that since local councils are close to the grassroot, ti is important to ensure there is no vacuum in administration and leadership.
Kpalab pointed out that a situation where elected council tenure elapses and allows for caretaker committees creates room for sit-tight leadership and disjoint in the pursuit of development at the grassroot.
The Citizens Voice Initiative spokesman added: “In Section 9 (3) and in order not to create a vacuum let local government elections be conducted before the expiration of the 3 year tenure, so that there will not be a vacuum”.
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Physically Challenged Persons, Tekena Altraide advocated the need to include those with challenges in local council administration.
The SSA opined that there are lots of educated and enlightened physically challenged persons who are ready to offer services and contribute to grassroot development.
Chairman of Rivers State Local Government Service Commission Hon Azubuike Nmerukini said the new bill will provide for a unified law for local councils for efficient administration.
Hon Nmerukini explained that since society is dynamic, laws are expected to reflect new developments in order to engender effectiveness.
Meanwhile, House Committee Chairman on Local Government Affairs, Hon Kelechi Nwogu has summoned the Caretaker Committee Chairman to appear before it since many failed to participate in the public hearing last Friday.
Hon Nwogu who represents Omuma State Constituency at the Assembly expressed displeasure that despite invitation sent to the various CTC Chairman, many failed to participate and make contributions to a bill which he said affects them.
“We need to know why the CTC chairman are not here. Their contributions are important, so they will have to appear before the Committee”, he stated.
During a press conference held in Owerri, the coalition called the campaign a “dangerous and shameful display” designed to distract the public from the governor’s performance in office.
The CSOs directly linked the Greater Imo Initiative (GII) —the group that made the allegations on September 4, 2025—to Governor Uzodimma, describing the group as his “mouthpiece and attack dog.”
“Every word spoken against INEC was spoken on his behalf.
“By falsely alleging that Professor Yakubu has an alliance with Dr. Amadi to compromise the 2027 elections, Uzodimma has not only maligned a man of proven integrity but also assaulted the very foundation of our democracy”, said Dr Agbo Frederick, speaking for the coalition.
The coalition described Professor Yakubu as a “beacon of electoral professionalism” and called the attempt to soil his reputation “defamatory and a national security risk.”
They also defended Dr. Amadi, a “respected development scholar,” stating that the governor’s accusations were “laughable, desperate, and dangerous.”
The CSOs see the motive behind the campaign as an attempt to “silence the dissent, intimidate the opposition, and divert attention from the governor’s abysmal record in office.”
The coalition issued four key demands to Governor Uzodimma: An immediate retraction of the false and defamatory allegations against Professor Mahmood Yakubu and Dr. Chima Amadi.
- A public apology to both men within seven days, to be published in at least three national newspapers and broadcast on major television networks.
- An end to diversionary tactics and proxy propaganda.
- A renewed focus on governance, including addressing insecurity, unemployment, and poverty in Imo State.
The CSOs warned that failure to comply would force them to “review our position with a view to seeking legal redress from Governor Uzodimma for defamation, false accusation, and reckless endangerment of lives.”
“Governor Uzodimma must be reminded that he did not find himself in the seat of power to chase shadows.
“We call on all Nigerians to reject Uzodimma’s diversionary antics as they are nothing short of desperate plots by a government terrified of accountability”, the statement concluded.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC expressed concern that preventing the senator from resuming her legislative duties violates democratic principles and disenfranchises her constituents.
“The suspension, having been imposed by the Senate and not a court of law, has lapsed. Any further attempt to prevent her from resuming is therefore both illegal and morally indefensible,” Mallam Abdullahi said.
The party noted that denying Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan access to the chamber silences the voice of the people who elected her, adding that the withdrawal of her salary, aides, and office access during the suspension amounted to excessive punishment.
The ADC also criticised the Clerk of the National Assembly for declining to process her resumption on grounds that the matter was before the courts, arguing that the Clerk’s role was administrative, not judicial.
“Administrative caution must not translate into complicity. When the administrative machinery becomes hostage to political interests, the institution itself is diminished,” the party stated.
Highlighting that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan is one of only four women in the 109-member Senate, the ADC warned that the handling of the case sends a discouraging signal about gender inclusion in Nigerian politics.
“Any action that resembles gender intimidation of the few women in the Senate would only discourage women’s participation. Nigeria cannot claim to be a democracy while excluding half of its population from key decision-making spaces,” Mallam Abdullahi added.
The ADC insisted that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan be allowed to resume her seat immediately, stressing that the matter was about more than one individual.
“What is at stake here is not just one Senate seat, but the integrity of our democracy itself,” the party said.