More drama seems to be unfolding in Rivers State, with indications that Governor Siminalayi Fubara will face additional challenges beyond the ongoing conflict with pro-Wike lawmakers.
Now, the Rivers State chapter of the Association of Local Government Areas of Nigeria, ALGON, has accused Governor Fubara of withholding funds allocated for the 23 LGAs in the state.
This action, according to the state ALGON, has hindered their ability to carry out their duties.
The LG chairmen claim that the Governor’s actions are akin to abolishing local government councils in the state.
They also indicated that they are in support of the call for impeachment of the Governor by the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Tony Okocha, who had asked the Martins Amaewhule-led State House of Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings against the Governor.
The position of the state chapter of ALGON was made known during a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Addressing journalists, Allwell Ihunda, the State ALGON Chairman and Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area said, “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.”