ALGON Pleads With Wike To Forgive Suspended LG Chairmen

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has been called on by the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Rivers State chapter, to lift the suspension placed on three council chairmen due to unlawful activities.

Governor Wike was pleaded within an appeal made by the state Vice Chairman of ALGON and Chairman Obio/Akpor LGA, Solomon Eke, his counterpart in Ahoada East and the association’s Secretary, Ben Eke, as well as Chairman of Ahoada West LGA and the state ALGON spokesman, Hope Ikiriko during a live radio programme in Port Harcourt, on Saturday.

The Governor of River State in a statement released through the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, had declared the suspension of the Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Victor Ihunwo, who is the current ALGON Chairman in the state, over alleged illegal tax collection.

The Chairmen of Abua/Odual, Daniel O. Daniel and Tony Philmoore of Degeme LGA had previously been suspended for allegedly turning up late for a meeting called by the governor over issues of the COVID-19 pandemic.

ALGON in their statement noted that the state Governor did not go against the law, it noted that the Governor who happens to be the Chief Security of the state has the right to suspend any chairman when there were infractions.

The group promised to deal with any local government chairman who mismanages the public funds, it also promised the Governor of their loyalty.

“We are all working with the governor. We are pleading with him to temper justice with mercy on our colleagues. What the governor did is a correctional measure.”

“He (governor) has given us strong and quality leadership and we don’t intend to disregard him, but to stand with him to ensure that Rivers people get the best.”