Rivers Local Government Chairmen Support Fubara’s Impeachment.
The Association of Local Government Areas of Nigeria (ALGON) in Rivers State has thrown its weight behind the call made by the state caretaker committee chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tony Okocha, urging the House of Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The local government chairmen have accused Governor Fubara of withholding funds intended for the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Rivers State, thus hindering their ability to carry out their administrative functions at the grassroots level.
According to ALGON, the governor’s actions effectively amount to the proscription of local government councils within the state.
Allwell Ihunda, the State ALGON chairman and chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, made these assertions during a news briefing held in the state capital on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
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Ihunda further alleged that Governor Fubara had intentions to misappropriate the funds allocated to the LGAs, calling on President Tinubu to intervene and restrain the governor to prevent a complete breakdown of law and order in Rivers State.
“It has come to the notice of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Rivers State chapter, that the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has neglected, failed, and deliberately refused to hold the statutory Joint Account Allocation Committee Meeting which is the prerequisite for the release and disbursement of funds due to the local government in the State Joint Local Government Accounts,” Ihunda stated.
He continued, “And has continued to withhold the statutory allocations due to the 23 local government councils of Rivers State since April 2024. And in the case of Emuoha LGA since March 2024 till date for no just cause, thereby starving the third tier of the government of the funds required to discharge its statutory functions in the administration of the local government areas.”
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During the question and answer session, the chairman of Andoni LGA stated that he would remain in office for six months after the expiration of his tenure, as permitted under the amended Local Government Law.
The support of the local government chairmen for Fubara’s impeachment adds a new dimension to the political landscape in Rivers State, underscoring the ongoing power struggle and tensions between the state government and local authorities.
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