Razaq Bamidele
Members of the National Executive Council of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), on Sunday, expressed shock over a purported communiqué removing their national president, Mr Kolade Alabi.
According to them, there was no such meeting where such a decision was taken.
They, therefore, urged the media to always verify information from the right sources before going to press.
ALGON Secretary-General, Binta Bello, wondered where such meeting was held.
Her words, “My attention has been drawn to an alleged meeting of ALGON National Executive Council on the 6th of September.
“I want to confirm that no such meeting was held. As the Secretary General of the association, the responsibilities of the process of convening such meeting is vested on me or as delegated by me of which neither of the two happened.
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“It is rather unfortunate to claim that such a meeting took place which further claimed the removal of the incumbent President Mr Kolade Alabi.
“I, therefore urge all ALGON Staff to guide against illegitimate information and to remain calm and steadfast.”
According to Nassarawa State, ALGON chairman, Aminu Muazu Maifata, the entire story was a hoarse but capable of destroying the main fabrics of ALGON and should therefore be deeply investigated.
“I write to refute the purported removal of Kolade David Alabi, the incumbent National President of ALGON, as circulated on the online platform of a Sunday national newspaper.
“To the best of my knowledge, neither was there a NEC meeting nor a resolution to that effect without the National Secretariat’s Knowledge,” Maifata said.
His Akwa Ibom State counterpart, Frank Archibong, said the report was grossly misleading and absolutely condemnable in all ramifications.
“I am not only an Executive Member of ALGON, I am also a NEC member of our association.
“How can anyone be so unkind to his nation and deliberately want to cause confusion to a most dynamic and trusted leadership more so that the writer is ‘faceless’.
“In a few days, the entire ALGON NEC will be meeting where the source of the publication will be unraveled with the media in attendance.”
ALGON Delta State chairman, Itiako Malik Ikpokpo, described the person that released the purported communiqué as an ‘impostor’.
Ikpokpo said, “I am a member of NEC and whoever released that statement is an imposter and not known to ALGON.
“These are people who have become rouges and almost destroyed the foundation of ALGON to which President Kolade Alabi was elected to correct and clean up and he is doing a great job.
“Alabi went through a local government election and won in Lagos. He was given Certificate of Return by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC). Delta ALGON is proud of Alabi’s strides by changing the face of ALGON to properly put our association to where it belongs.”
Taofeek Isa from Kogi Statte chapter described the report as ‘unfounded, reckless and most embarrassing.’
He said, “As a member of ALGON NEC, I emphatically deny knowledge of any meeting where our NEC “removed the democratically elected Kolade Alabi” as ALGON President.
“Suffice to say that the mischievous individual who sponsored the dastardly publication to embarrass the amiable National President for personal benefits is an inconsequential rascal known to all members. I urge you to discountenance the fictitious story as published,” Isa said.
Also, the Taraba State ALGON chairman, Stephen Ibrahim, said the person that signed the communiqué was not known to the association.
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Ibrahim said, “My attention has been drawn to purported removal of our national president Kolade Alabi where one Andrew Alu who though claims to be the National Publicity Secretary. This is scandalous with a most haunting venom of the ranting of an ant.
“More importantly, not only is the said Andrew Alu unknown to the body of ALGON, we do not also have such name as our National Publicity Secretary.
“I confirm to you that no NEC meeting was held at Nicon Hotels.”
Ezekiel Pabuet from Plateau said, “Gone are the days where imposters can be used to tarnish and undermine the image of a very serious body like ALGON that was once a formidable voice in this country for which the present leadership is trying to bring back.
“We cannot sit and watch people of questionable and unstable character that are not even part of ALGON and never contested an election of any ALGON Office to make such flagrant and unfortunate statement.
“Such action must be investigated and handed over to Security Agents when found culpable in order to serve as lesson to others.”