The Association of Local Government Areas of Nigeria (ALGON), Rivers State chapter, has leveled accusations against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, alleging the withholding of funds meant for the state’s 23 LGAs.
According to ALGON, this action has obstructed their ability to fulfill their duties in local government administration, essentially rendering them ineffective.
State ALGON Chairman Allwell Ihunda condemned the Governor’s actions, likening it to an attempt to sideline local government councils in the state.
Ihunda further endorsed the call made by the All Progressives Congress Caretaker Committee Chairman, Tony Okocha, for the State House of Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara.
Addressing reporters in Port Harcourt, The Punch quoted Ihunda as saying, “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, leading to the withholding 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 added.
MUK TV reports this latest move for Fubara’s impeachment was precipitated by his derisive comment against the APC-dominated State Assembly.
It is worth noting that the governor, during a speech at the Government’s House last week, described the Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule-led factional assembly as non-existent, insisting that they existed only because he allowed them.
