The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has condemned the illegality of dissolving Democratically elected Local Government Council Chairmen by some State Governors.
In a communique issued at the end of their 34th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Lagos on the 12th of May, ALGON said the action is in contrast with the provisions of the constitution and threatened to resist the act going forward.
The communique which was signed by Hon. Babatunde Emilola-Gazal (ALGON Chairman Ogun), Hon. Willie Okoliegwo (ALGON Chairman Imo), Hon. Abubakar Buba (ALGON Chairman Kaduna), Hon. Bala Usman Chamo (ALGON Chairman Jigawa) and Hon. Victor Ebonka (ALGON Chairman Delta) reads:
“ALGON insists on the sanctity of Section 7 (1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) which guarantees the system of democratically elected Local Government System.
“The NEC However wish to state that despite this constitutional guarantee, it has become a common practice for State governors to unilaterally and without going through the due process of the law to dissolve elected councils and appoint Caretaker Committees to head Local Government Councils. This practice is more rampant especially when new governors are sworn into office. Their first assignment in most instances is to dissolve the elected council executives.”
“It has come to the attention of ALGON that some of the Governors elect, are already set to partake in such illegality once sworn in on May 29, 2023.
“The National Executive Council of ALGON (NEC) deliberated on this and condemns in strong terms this disturbing trend and resolved that such an unconstitutional act will not be tolerated by ALGON and will be resisted in unison.
“It is the position of ALGON NEC that State Governors must recognize that Local Government is a tier of Government and Elected Councils must be allowed to serve their tenures once duly elected just as other elected officials at the State and Federal tiers.
“Local Government chairmen are necessary partners in progress in the development of the states and indeed Nigeria as a whole. Therefore, ALGON will take all necessary and reasonable actions to ensure that democratically elected councils are not forced or intimidated out of office illegally.
“The National Executive Council of ALGON is therefore using this medium to appeal to the Chairman and members of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) to abide by the spirit and intent of the constitution of Nigeria in their relationship and interaction with the Local Government Councils in their various states.
“On the 2023 General Election, the NEC, congratulates all winners in the just concluded electoral process including the President Elect, Senator Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, His Vice Senator Kassim Shettima, the State Governors, Senators and Members of House of Representatives for the 10th Assembly.
“ALGON appeals to all the aggrieved persons, groups, party’s or interest who may have lost or are challenging in the Tribunal some of the victory announced by INEC to remain civil and allow the Court process to conclude in the overall interest of peace, justice and fair play.
The NEC in the meeting took critical decisions on the reports of its committees assigned to look into the following:
“The progress of work on ALGON Comprehensive Primary HealthCare Centers built in the Local Governments across the country.
“NEC through its committee also studied the hordes of Legal Matters awaiting adjudication for necessary action.
“It also interrogated the contractual agreement between it and the award of Breast Cancer Kits-Transactions with the consultants.
“The NEC examined its status and interests in the ALGON-American Hospital project with a feasibility report on way forward within best practices.”
