… Appoints “Government Recognized PGs” in Aboh Mbaise LGA
The Interim Management Committee (IMC) Chairman of Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, Mr. Emmanuel Njoku, has admitted that he appointed Town Union President Generals (PGs) in his constituency, claiming without proof that Governor Hope Uzodimma dissolved all town unions and their elected officials across the state.
The admission was made by Njoku during a meeting of stakeholders from Aboh-Mbaise LGA on June 28, 2022, called by the Imo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Success Prosper-Ohayagha, to discuss alleged mismanagement of funds allocated for the renovation of the Community Health Centre.
According to news reports, members of the affected community had drawn the attention of the Imo State Government to their plight, following an estimation of the cost of the superficial renovation of the Health Centre, which fell far short of the approved funds for the project.
Njoku had admitted during the course of inquiry, his disregard for the community’s duly elected President Generals and the unilateral appointment of those he referred to as “Government Recognised PGs”, because Gov Uzodimma “dissolved town unions across the state”.
Health Commissioner, Dr. Prosper-Ohaghaya had earlier established that Governor Uzodimma wanted the traditional rulers and duly elected President Generals of Town Unions to be involved in the execution of the health centre renovations.
The claim by the IMC Chairman, Njoku that all town union executives were dissolved by Governor Uzodimma, was quickly countered by the Chairman of the Imo State chapter of the Association of Local Government Chairmen (ALGON), Chief Willie Okolieogwo who was also present at the meeting.
According to Okolieogwo, the IMC chairmen were acting on their own volition in the appointment of PGs, as Governor Uzodimma did not at any time dissolve town unions and did not authorise anyone to appoint PGs.
It will be recalled that the Association of Imo State Indigenous Town Unions had gone to court to halt such unlawful impositions by the previous administration of Governor Rochas Okorocha and got a favourable judgment, which barred the state government from interfering in the activities of Town Unions, including the selection of President General and other officials of their exco.
Some community leaders who commented on the development on condition of anonymity, claimed that such impositions have created confusion, mutual disaffection and even violence among the people in their communities.
Further investigations show that Njoku unilaterally set aside the non-partisan and popularly elected PG, of his autonomous community in Aboh-Mbaise LGA, Hon. Chief Steve Obasi, and appointed his own PG in the name of the Governor. A previous “government recognised PG” he had appointed, High Chief Charles Ogudoro, was said to have declined the appointment in order to avoid causing confusion and conflict with his people.
Meanwhile, during a Town-hall style Stakeholders’ Meeting held by Governor Hope Uzodimma last year, traditional rulers across the state lamented the anomaly of misguided IMC Chairmen coming to their autonomous communities to “appoint” PGs over the elected, serving PGs.
Governor Uzodimma, had categorically, assured the people at the event, that he would only work with popularly elected PGs.
It remains unclear why IMC Chairmen, such as Emma Njoku, continue to sow seeds of discord and internal conflicts in various communities in Imo State, by going against the pronouncement of the governor and an earlier court judgement.
