WRITTEN BY GORDI UDEAJAH
Abia state Chapter of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria ( ALGON ) has updated that with respect to local government financial autonomy, Councils funds are not yet being disbursed directly by Federation Account Allocation Committee ( FAAC ) to Councils in accordance with the Supreme Court Verdict.
Chairman of the state ALGON Chapter and Chairman/Mayor of Isuikwuato Council., Hon Chiedu Ekeke gave the update in answer to a question on the scenario during an interaction with journalists after the Mayors of the state 17 Councils met in Umuahia, the state capital, yesterday.
He said that the federal government still disburses Council Funds from the federation account through the State Joint Account Allocation Committee ( JAAC ), because the Funds come from the Cheque Account.
He added however, that there is a strong collaboration between the local and state governments in Abia state in this regard
Hon Ekeke also informed the reporters of some of their decisions on recent developments in the state, especially governor Otti’s re-election for second term in office from 2027, stating that it is the state ALGON opinion that in a democratic system, leadership is determined by performance and the freely expressed will of the electorate through credible elections, and not by declarations , pronouncements, or political gang-ups.
Noting that three past governors of the state namely Senators Orji Uzor Kalu and Theodore Orji, and Dr Okezie Ikpeazu met recently announcing publicly their plan to work against the re-election of the serving state governor Dr Alex Otti, of the Labour Party, and accused him of poor performance.
The state ALGON read out to the journalists it’s 14-point Communique saying they unanimously passed vote of confidence on governor Otti, ” in recognition of his demonstrable performance, purposeful leadership and commitment to restoring integrity, efficiency, and service delivery to our people”.
They called on all past and present political actors in the state to engage constructively by presenting ideas, policies, and alternate visions capable of advancing development, unity, and stability in the state ” rather than resorting to divisive or distracting statements”.
According to the state ALGON, the apparent gang-up against governor Otti’s re-election and statements by the state past three governors ” arose ” not from poor performance, but from the stark contrast between Governor Otti’s achievements and the abysmal record of past administration s”.
The Mayors who have spent about 13 months of their four years office tenure, declared collective and unequivocal commitment to support governor Otti’ s re-election.
