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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The political crisis rocking Rivers State continues to unravel on Wednesday, as the state chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of witholding funds meant for the 23 local governments.
Addressing a press conference in Port Harcourt, the state ALGON Chairman and Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Allwell Ihunda, said the governor’s action had prevented the local governments from performing their functions.
He said the Fubara’s action is tantamount to proscribing local government areas in the state.
Ihunda backed the call by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Committee Chairman, Tony Okocha, for the House of Assembly to commence impeachment procedings against the governor.
“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.
“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 course, 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,” he said.
Recall that Fubara had earlier asked local government officials not to appear before the House of Assembly, warning that any official that appeared before the assembly will face severe punishment.