The Interim Management Committee of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria ALGON under the leadership of Hon. Abdullahi Shuaibu Maje, the executive Chairman Suleja Local Government Area council in collaboration with some Electoral Committee members, on Wednesday, released a joint statement after its National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja, discrediting plans of purported NEC meeting in Lokoja, Kogi state.
In a statement signed and made available to newsmen by its head of media Mr Farouk Salawu, the IMC reacting to the recent turn out of events, raised an alarm that the dissolved Alabi led faction of the association is currently using ex-members to hijack the IMC and sellout the association.
The IMC also distances itself from the activities of Hon. Taofiq, others, disclosed that contrary to belief that a crisis existed in house, it has rather upon exit of some members, restructured itself and a leadership with effect from the aftermath of election slated for mid-September 2022, will emerge to effect a more idealistic realization of the mandate of the association against the one hijacked by the Kolade Alabi led leadership.
The Statement reads; “Our attention has been brought for the umpteenth time plans made by the Alabi led faction to hijack the leadership of the IMC through some compromised members of the Interim Management Committee during their purported meeting in Lokoja, Kogi State. Credible Information at our disposal, has it that the above movement is spearheaded by Hon. Isa Taofiq, Kogi State Chairman.
“We are beyond surprised that Hon. Isa Taofiq who voluntarily left the Alabi’s camp on the basis that the said Alabi is not member of the constitutionally recognized 774 local government area; joined the IMC as the chairman of the Financial committee, and even took the mandate of the IMC to his governor, His Excellency Yahaya Bello would make a U-turn in spearheading such Kangaroo meeting in the same state against the same IMC under the nose of the governor. The big question; Is Governor Yahaya Bello aware of the current gimmicks, plans of his chairman, Hon. Toafiq? Is Kolade Alabi now a member of the 774 LGA? Because this was the same reason he had left the camp earlier. Perhaps so many waters have indeed gone under the bridge, because what could be the reason for this change if not for financial benefit since our little parrot has it that the said Alabi sponsored and attended his son’s wedding sometime last month.
“As against a publication notifying the general public of the two-day meeting, The IMC by right of this statement, condemn in all entirety the alleged meeting and hereby ask the public to disregard, because the said Alabi who is to chair and head the meeting of the executives and elected chairmen of the 774 Local Government Areas, is not even a Chairman of any local government area, rather a chairman Bariga LCDA. It would be great disservice to duly elected chairmen of local government areas if a man who isn’t a chairman takes the mantle and makes defining decisions for them.” It added.
The IMC however commended the President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs Gorge Akume, for approving full autonomy for the local government, stating the development would address the rising insecurity, poverty at the grassroots and spur effective and efficient local government administration.
