The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, supported by the chairmen of local government areas under the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) Rivers State Chapter, has called for the impeachment of the state governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara. The call was made public during a press conference held in Port Harcourt, where the chairmen declared the necessity of the impeachment to uphold democracy and establish the rule of law.
Hon. Allwell Ihunda, the ALGON Chairman in Rivers State and the chairman of Port Harcourt City LGA, expressed concerns over the governor’s recent actions, including withholding the allocation of funds to LGAs since April. Ihunda described these actions as a demonstration of executive rascality, criticizing the governor for not convening the Joint Account Allocation Committee Meeting (JAAC), which is essential for the disbursement of funds.
Ihunda articulated the grievances stating, “It has come to the notice of ALGON that the Rivers State Government under Governor Fubara has neglected, failed, and deliberately refused to hold the statutory JAAC meeting, thereby starving the third tier of government of funds required to discharge its statutory functions.”
Further exacerbating tensions, Ihunda revealed that Governor Fubara had met with local government administrative heads, directing them to prepare salary vouchers for civil servants, an action perceived as an overreach into local government finances.
“This conduct of the Rivers State Government smacks of executive high-handedness and lawlessness, which is not only despicable and unconscionable in a democratic setting but is also unconstitutional,” Ihunda added, emphasizing the legal backing for local governments as per the 1999 Constitution.
The ALGON representatives also highlighted a court order that mandates maintaining the status quo regarding fund allocation, which the state government has allegedly violated. They called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government to intervene to prevent a breakdown of governance and law and order in Rivers State.
Moreover, ALGON members urged the Rivers State House of Assembly to act decisively to curb the governor’s excesses and protect democratic institutions within the state.
In a related development, the Legal Adviser of ALGON and Chairman of Andoni LGA, Chief Hon. Dr. Irastus Awoto, stated that the current LGA chairmen are legally entitled to remain in office for an additional six months beyond their original tenure expiring in June, due to delays in conducting local government elections. Awoto warned against any attempts by the governor’s associates to forcibly remove them from office, stating it would invite anarchy.
Awoto clarified, “We got elected in 2021, and our tenure is to expire in June. But by now, LG elections ought to have been concluded. The law amended by the Rivers State House of Assembly says we will stay in office for an additional six months in the interim. We are going to remain in office after the expiration of our tenure because the law says so.”