2023 Political Gladiators Behind ALGON Crisis, Says Group Leaders
- ALGON leaders say desperate politicians are jostling to hijack the association ahead of the 2023 polls
- The association made the claim while briefing journalists in Abuja on Sunday, April 18
- The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria have been having an internal crisis which has led to factions created
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The Interim Management Committee (IMC), of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has blamed politicians angling to use the association for their selfish interest ahead of the 2023 general elections for the current crisis rocking it.
The allegation was made by the IMC chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Shuaibu Maje, at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, April 18 attended by a Legit.ng reporter.
Hon. Maje, however, assured all stakeholders that his leadership will do everything possible not only to reposition the association by conducting a proper General Assembly but also rescue it from the hands of political merchants.
Hon. Maje who is also the chairman of Suleja local government area of Niger state, said one Hon. Kolade Alabi David, who has been claiming to be the president of ALGON is not recognised by the Nigerian constitution and the constitution of ALGON.
Source: Facebook
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He noted that Hon. David is:
“A chairman of a Local Council Development Authority (L. C. D. A) created by Lagos State House of Assembly, unknown to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and Association of Local Governments of Nigeria Constitution.”
He, however, noted that an Abuja high court has restrained Hon. David, who is the chairman of Bariga LCDA in Lagos from parading himself as the leader of the association.
His words:
“It is worthy of note that the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria Constitution expressly defines the membership of ALGON to be an elected local government council chairman, vice chairman, and councilors.
“It is crystal clear from the foregoing definition that Honourable Kolade Alabi David is not a member of ALGON and cannot in fact and in law head the association.
“The situation in ALGON can simply be likened to someone who is not a Governor claiming to be the chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum.
“The continuous unlawful stay in office of Hon. Kolade Alabi David was met with hues and cries by many civil society groups and other non-governmental organizations, thereby denting the corporate image of the association.
“There is no doubt that despite the emergence of the Interim Management Committee about a year ago, Honourable Kolade Alabi has continued to parade himself as the ALGON President, thereby hindering the Interim Management Committee from the discharge of their lawful duty.”
Hon. Maje-led IMC, however, reiterated its commitment towards conducting of election to various national offices in ALGON within six months from Monday, March 29, and called for the support of all members of ALGON in the discharge of its task irrespective of political affiliations.
Also speaking, another LGA chairman Hon. Ike Anyatonwe of Isiala Ngwa South in Abia state assured that the IMC will reposition the association in no distant time.
Legit.ng had earlier reported that an Abuja Federal High Court has restrained the David-led faction of ALGON from parading themselves as the leaders of the association.
The court also ordered the faction from taking all further action, steps, proceedings, and assembly relating to the conduct of ALGON's General Assembly during the pendency of the suit.
ALGON had earlier disassociated itself from a meeting purportedly convened in its name by Alabi in the Federal Capital, Territory, Abuja on Wednesday, March 24.
The association described the meeting as illegal, in a statement signed and sent to Legit.ng on Wednesday, March 24 by Hon. Maje.
Source: Legit.ng
