Razaq Bamidele
Following incessant sacking of democratically-elected local council chairmen across the country, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has tasked the leadership of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to always uphold the sanctity of the constitution and rule of law.
This note of warning was contained in a statement from the ALGON President, Kolade Alabi, who said he was constrained to make the call following the sack of elected local governments’ chairmen in Oyo, Kwara and Imo states.
The ALGON boss expressed dismay that some governors still view local governments as appendages of their offices, not minding that the chairmen are equally elected like the governors for a stipulated period of years as passed by the various states’ Houses of Assembly.
READ ALSO: http://School girl killed as Okada riders, police slash in Lagos
“Despite the provisions of Section 7 (l) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as it relates to the existence, administration and control of Local Government Councils in Nigeria, the flagrant disregard for the constitution is baffling. The action is not only hindering the development at the grassroots expected to be put in place by the councils; it is also crippling the third tier of government,” Alabi reminded.
He described the Supreme Court ruling on the illegality of sacking elected council chairmen as a “landmark,” and a welcome development.
“The Supreme Court ruling simply overruled the common practice by some state governors in dissolving elected local government council chairmen. Such action is now deemed unconstitutional null and void and of no effect,” he said.
He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to call the governors to order and the Inspector-General of Police to ensure normalcy returns to the councils.
“We equally urged the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to prevail on their members-governor to allow the sacked council chairmen back to their office to complete their tenure.
“Now that the Supreme Court has put to rest the arbitrary abuse and the constitutional breach, ALGON calls on all and sundry to join forces with us to ensuring sustainability and development of grass roots.
“With this development, the local governments will be better positioned to contribute to achieving President Muhammadu Buhari’s desire to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years,” Alabi said.
