In a scathing indictment, the Rivers State chapter of the Association of Local Government Areas of Nigeria (ALGON) has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of withholding funds allocated to the 23 local government areas (LGAs) in the state.
The state ALGON has asserted that this action has severely hindered their ability to carry out their duties in administering the third tier of government.
The LG chairmen condemned the governor’’s alleged action, saying that it effectively cripples the functioning of local government councils in the state.
In a bold show of solidarity, they have thrown their support behind the call made by the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tony Okocha, for the State House of Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings against the governor.
At a news briefing held in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, the State ALGON Chairman and Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Allwell Ihunda, reiterated the association’s stance. Ihunda emphasized the grave consequences of Governor Fubara’s actions, highlighting the detrimental impact on grassroots governance and service delivery to the people of Rivers State.
Ihunda stated, “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.”
The allegations leveled by ALGON underscore the deepening rift between the local government authorities and the state government, signaling a further escalation in the ongoing power struggle within Rivers State.
As tensions continue to mount, the specter of impeachment looms large over Governor Fubara’s administration, setting the stage for a potentially tumultuous political showdown in the days to come.