Local Government news
Crisis brews in Jigawa APC over alleged imposition of delegates
**As party resort to witch hunt through proxy allegations against council chairmen
In an attempt to take control over party’s delegates at the Local Government level ahead of the forthcoming convention by the Governor Muhammad Badaru led Government, some Local Council chairmen in Jigawa State have been accused of Financial Misconduct.
The House of Assembly it was gathered has become a pawn in the political chess game of the APC led Government in the State.
Opposition is already mounting ahead of the primary election against some of the strange decisions
The Chairman of Yankwashi Local Government council, Mubarak Ahmad, is on indefinite suspension already for alleged financial misconduct
The State Assembly had embarked on the investigation of seven local government councils in the state.
The chairman house committee on information who is the member representing Kafinhausa constituency, Honourable Muhammed Na’im made the disclosure while briefing newsmen on the state assembly decisions over the local councils.
Honourable Na’im said the suspension of the council boss followed a petition from the state’s party (APC) chairman, Honourable Aminu Sami Gumel alleging gross disrespect to the party.
However, it was gathered that the only offense of the suspended chairman was because he protested against the list of party delegates submitted to his council by the state’s party secretariat
The chairman had faulted the said list as being improper according to the electoral law, APC approved constitution and guidelines.
But the Assembly at its plenary took a decision and announced the suspension of Mr Ahmad indefinitely’ on alleged disrespect and indiscipline in a petition sent to it by the state’s APC chairman, Aminu Gumel.
According to the chairman house committee on Information “The lawmakers sanctioned the council chairman following a petition by the state’s APC chairman submitted to the house”.
Honourable Na’im maintained that the house had set up a committee to investigate the matter and the report submitted, the lawmaker said.
The information committee chairman indicated that “The house was investigating six other local councils’ chairpersons over alleged financial misappropriation”.
He listed the affected council areas to include Gwiwa, Kafin-Hausa, Guri, Miga, Birnin Kudu, Birniwa and Babura.
However the affected council chairmen in a swift reaction denied the allegations describing it as political witch hunting just to control delegates in the forth coming party’s primary election.
Speaking to news men on condition of anonymity, one of the affected council chairmen said “It is not true, there is no any financial misappropriation. Everyone knows that we are not spending any Kobo until we make a work plan in respect of any financial expenditure which they usually take to the governor and state assembly for approval before the spending of such funds. How can one misappropriate?
He noted that the chairmen were being witch-hunted following a protest against imposition of party’s delegates ahead of the forthcoming party primary election in their respective councils.
The official said according to the party constitution and guidelines, a local council chairman is mandated to nominate five persons as delegates, a member of the house of representatives has three delegates slots while the state assembly member has two slots, unfortunately, the state party chairman submitted delegates list without giving the chairmen their slots.
The aide who asked not to be named for fear of being victimized said the chairman demanded to know why, but the party chairman remain adamant and arrogant insisting that it is an order from above that he cannot temper with the delegates list, that led to exchange of abusive words between them, the aide said.
When contacted the APC chairman Honourable Aminu Sani Gumel confirmed submitting complain against the Yankwashi local government council chairman to the lawmakers, however, he insisted he cannot comment on the matter which is before the assembly members.
The party chairman is believed to be playing the script of governor Muhammed Badaru, who they have accused of allegedly trying to have control of the party’s delegates and structure at council areas.
The 7-man panel set up by Hon. Justice Daniel Okungbowa, the Chief Judge of Edo State to investigate the impeachment allegations against the Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu on Wednesday in a ruling by the Chairman has decided to discountenance an interlocutory order that debarred the Chairman and three other members from participating in the impeachment proceedings on account of bias.
The suit was filed on behalf of the Deputy Governor by his legal team at the Federal High Court Abuja, and was able to secure the order stopping the panel Chairman and members from proceeding with their inaugural sitting.
Counsel to the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, advised the seven-man panel set up by the state Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to obey the interlocutory order made by the Court.
The seven-man panel headed by retired Justice S. A. Omonuwa was set up by the Chief Judge to investigate the allegations of misconduct levelled against him by the Edo State House of Assembly.
Counsel to Shaibu in the matter in court, Professor Oladoyin Awoyale SAN, said the decision of the panel to continue with its inaugural proceedings amounts to deliberate act of disobedience of a court order and an attempt to foist a fait accompli on the court.
He hinged his stance on the order of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, which gave an interlocutory order for proceedings of the panel to abate pending the return date when the Chairman and 3 other members of the panel will show cause.
The court had adjourned the matter to April 8, 2024 for the Respondents to obey the order to show cause.
The deputy governor’s counsel further submitted that with the ruling of the Federal High Court Abuja, all parties must abide by the interlocutory order of the court, adding that continuing with the panel would amount to undermining the rule of law.
However, counsel to the House of Assembly, who is the Deputy Clerk, Legal Department, Joe Oaifi Esq, argued that the panel’s sitting was supported by Section 188 (10) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, as amended, which forecloses any court from preventing the House of Assembly and the panel from discharging their constitutional responsibilities.
The seven-man panel is headed by retired Justice S. A. Omonuwa, with six other members.
The panel’s Chairman had gone on a short adjournment to determine whether or not they will proceed in the light of the order of court preventing them from sitting.
In his ruling the Chairman agreed with the submission of the counsel for the House of Assembly and said the panel will proceed with its inaugural sitting.
Counsel to Shaibu had to excuse himself from the inaugural proceedings of the panel, in obedience of the order of court.
Justice I. E. Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja had on Thursday the 28th of March 2024 ordered that all Parties in the suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/405/3024 to show cause why the injunction to maintain status quo ante bellum, pending the hearing and determination of the Originating Motion on Notice Should not be granted.
The Honourable Judge consequently gave the Respondents, including the Chairman and three members members of the panel three days to respond to respond to the Order to show cause on the grant of the restraining order.
The case is between the Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu and the Inspector General of Police, State Security Service, Hon. Justice S. A. Omonua (Rtd) , the chairman representing himself and the members of the panel of seven appointed the by 4th defendant, Edo State Chief Judge and the House of Assembly.
THE ORDER:
” UPON THE MOTION EX-PARTE dated 26th March ,2024 and filed 27th March, 2024 praying the following Orders:
AN INTERLOCUTORY ORDER OF THIS
HONOURABLE COURT FOR THE
RESPONDENTS, their assigns, agents and however so-called to SHOW CAUSE on the “return day” why relief two (2) of this Motion should not be granted in favour of the Applicant
” AN ORDER OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT DIRECTING all Parties in this suit to maintain status quo ante bellum, pending the hearing and determination of the Originating Motion on Notice
Hon. Justice I. E. Ekwo Judge
ORDER EX PARTE IN THE DEPUTY GOV, OF EDO STATE v. I.G.P. & 7 ORS
FHC/ABJ/CS/405/2024. AND FOR SUCH FURTHER ORDER(S) as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this case.
“UPON READING the affidavit in support of the application deposed to by Elsie Esosa, Adult, Female, Christian, Nigerian citizen of suite BID, First Floor, KFC Building, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja and filed in the Registry of this Court.
AND AFTER HEARING A. A. Emwanta, Esq., of Counsel for the Applicant move in terms of the Motion paper. And the Court having granted the application.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AS FOLLOWS:
Hon. Justice I. E. Ekwo Judge
Order is hereby made for the Respondents, their Assigns, Agents and whosoever to show cause on the next date of hearing why relief two (2) of this Motion should not be granted in favour of the Applicant.
“Applicant is hereby ordered to serve the Respondents with all processes in this suit within 4 days of this Order.
” Respondents are hereby ordered to show cause on the next date of hearing.
“Case adjourned to 8th April, 2024 for Respondents to show cause.
ISSUED AT ABUJA, under the hand of the Presiding Judge, Hon. Justice I. E. Ekwo, and seal of the Court this 28th day of March, 2024.”
Justice I. E. Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja had on Thursday the 28th of March 2024 ordered that all Parties in the suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/405/3024 to show cause why the injunction to maintain status quo ante bellum, pending the hearing and determination of the Originating Motion on Notice Should not be granted. The Honourable Judge consequently gave the Respondents, including the Chairman and three members members of the panel three days to respond to respond to th
The case is between the Edo state Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu and the Inspector General of Police, State Security Service, Hon. Justice S. A. Omonua (Rtd) , the chairman representing himself and the members of the panel of seven appointed the by 4th defendant, Edo state chief judge and the House of Assembly.
THE ORDER:
” UPON THE MOTION EX-PARTE dated 26th March ,2024 and filed 27th March, 2024 praying the following Orders:
AN INTERLOCUTORY ORDER OF THIS
HONOURABLE COURT FOR THE
RESPONDENTS, their assigns, agents and however so-called to SHOW CAUSE on the “return day” why relief two (2) of this Motion should not be granted in favour of the Applicant
” AN ORDER OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT DIRECTING all Parties in this suit to maintain status quo ante bellum, pending the hearing and determination of the Originating Motion on Notice
Hon. Justice I. E. Ekwo Judge
ORDER EX PARTE IN THE DEPUTY GOV, OF EDO STATE v. I.G.P. & 7 ORS
FHC/ABJ/CS/405/2024. AND FOR SUCH FURTHER ORDER(S) as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this case.
“UPON READING the affidavit in support of the application deposed to by Elsie Esosa, Adult, Female, Christian, Nigerian citizen of suite BID, First Floor, KFC Building, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja and filed in the Registry of this Court.
AND AFTER HEARING A. A. Emwanta, Esq., of Counsel for the Applicant move in terms of the Motion paper. And the Court having granted the application.
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AS FOLLOWS:
Hon. Justice I. E. Ekwo Judge
Order is hereby made for the Respondents, their Assigns, Agents and whosoever to show cause on the next date of hearing why relief two (2) of this Motion should not be granted in favour of the Applicant.
“Applicant is hereby ordered to serve the Respondents with all processes in this suit within 4 days of this Order.
” Respondents are hereby ordered to show cause on the next date of hearing.
“Case adjourned to 8th April, 2024 for Respondents to show cause.
ISSUED AT ABUJA, under the hand of the Presiding Judge, Hon. Justice I. E. Ekwo, and seal of the Court this 28th day of March, 2024.”
From Daniel Abel, Lafia
Nasarawa state Governor Abdullah Sule has described the election of Hon. Aminu Muazu Maifata, Chairman Lafia Local Government Council as National Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) Nasarawa state as a well deserved victory
In a congratulatory letter to Hon. Maifata, the Governor said, “Your elevation to the position of National President of ALGON is well deserved and a classic case of “whom the cap fits”.
“Your humility, calm disposition, hard work and unwavering loyalty have remained constant”.
The Governor said he is confident that the new National President will bring his wealth of experience to bear in steering this all important Association in the right direction.
He said the third tier of government is critical and worthy partners in the quest for rapid development of the country.
“As an ambassador of the state in whom we are pleased I wish you a successful tenure and an assurance of my support and that of the Government of Nasarawa State.”
Sule congratulated Hon. Muazu Maifata praying God to grant him more wisdom and good health.
The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has announced the suspension of its 17days old industrial action that commenced on the 12″ of January, 2024 in the six Area Councils and the LEA.
The union indicated that the strike was suspended following the timely intervention of the Minister of FCT Nyesom Wike.
It would be recalled that the FCT branch of the union had issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in the FCT to pay its area councils’ staff arrears and other allowances.
The union had threatened to shut down government activities across the six area councils after the ultimatum elapsed without the council chairmen meeting their demands.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the emergency State Executive Council (SEC) meeting of the union which was held at the state secretariat in Gwagwalada, the union urged the six area council chairmen to pay all the outstanding allowances of its staff.
The union in the communiqué said despite having written several mails and interfaces with ALGON, the council chairmen failed to implement the 40 per cent Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and the 25 Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), as well as federal government 35 per cent palliative for FCT area council’s unified staff.
It also held that the council chairmen also failed to remit pension deductions, corporative deductions, payment of hazard allowances, 35 per cent wage award, peculiar allowance and staff promotion arrears.
Apparently piqued by the failure of ALGON to meet their demands after the 7 days Ultimatum the union embarked on strike on the 12th January, following which activities in the 6 area councils were grounded.
However, in a statement issued by the Union’s secretary, Com. Ogueri Bridget, she stated that an agreement has been reached with the Minister that he will pay 40% of the total sum of the outstanding amounting to N2,793,338,491.81.
However, she said it is with a caveat that the payment will be on instulmental bases in four months arrears across the six area councils, while the Council Chairmen will pay 60% balance accruing to each area council totaling 44,190,007,723.28
It also quoted the Minister to have warned that failure to pay, the monthly allocation to the defaulting Area Council will be withheld and the said amount deducted at the source from JAAC.
“In the light of the above, I have been directed to inform you that the strike has been suspended with effect from 30° January, 2024 and you are expected to resume duty with immediate effect.
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