This move, according to the 21 LGA chairmen, is essential to uphold democracy and enforce the Rule of Law in the state.
By Nkiruka Aduba
The Local Government Area Chairmen in Rivers State, represented by the Association Of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) Rivers State Chapter, have endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) call for the Rivers State House of Assembly to promptly initiate an impeachment process against Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
This move, according to the 21 LGA chairmen, is essential to uphold democracy and enforce the Rule of Law in the state.
Speaking to the press in Port Harcourt, ALGON Chairman in the state, Hon. Allwell Ihunda, who also serves as the chairman of Port Harcourt City LGA, expressed dismay over the governor’s withholding of LGA allocations since April.
Ihunda criticized the governor’s refusal to convene the Joint Account Allocation Committee Meeting (JAAC), which is necessary for fund disbursement between the state and LGAs, as an act of executive rascality. He condemned the governor’s actions as unlawful and warned of the state sliding into totalitarianism.
Ihunda said: It has come to the notice of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Rivers State Chapter that the Rivers State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, GSSRS, has neglected, failed and deliberately refused to hold the statutory Joint Account Allocation Committee Meeting (JAAC) which is the prerequisite for the release and disbursement of funds due to the Local Governments in the State Joint Local Government Account and has continued to withhold the statutory allocation due to the 23 Local Governments Councils of Rivers State since the month of April, 2024 (and in the case of Emohua since March, 2024) till date for no just cause, thereby starving the third tier of government of the funds required to discharge its statutory functions in the administration of the Local Government Areas.
“It has also come to our notice that the Governor of Rivers State held a meeting with Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGA), Heads of Personnel Management (HPM), Treasurers of Local Governments and other Directors on Monday the 6th day of May, 2024 in Government House Port Harcourt whereat he directed them to go and compile for presentation to him of the salary vouchers and over heads of civil servants (excluding Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, Councilors and other political office holders), for the various Local Governments with a view to unlawfully dipping his hands into Local Government funds to pay staff salaries directly without the involvement of the democratically elected Local Government Chairmen.”
Ihunda highlighted that the state Governor is attempting to eliminate the Local Government system as protected by section 7 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
He stated that this move equates to an unlawful dissolution of the Local Government Councils. Ihunda pointed out that Fubara is disregarding the law of the land, which he pledged to uphold, and urged the State House of Assembly to intervene and curb the governor’s overreach.
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