PLEASE REINSTATE US TO COMPLETE OUR TENURE, SACKED OGUN COUNCIL CHAIRMEN BEGS ASSEMBLY
The 8th Assembly under the leadership of immediate past Speaker Rt.Hon. Suraj Adekunbi, had on 31st May, 2019, on account of alleged financial impropriety suspended all the affected political office holders in all the 20 Local Government and 37 LCDA in Ogun State.
Penpushing further reports that the sacked Chairmen led by Hon. Semiu Bola Lawal at a press conference held at Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat, Abeokuta, said they were subjects of ridicule by last Senator Ibikunle Amosun administration in the State.
The complainant said they will not take any legal action against the decision of the State House of Assembly, because of the limited time to the end of their tenure, but will explore dialogue with the Assembly leadership to resolve the crisis, and also assured Governor Dapo Abiodun of their support and cooperation for his administration.
“Local government administration under the administration of His Excellency Senator Ibikunle Amosun was in a state of comatose and rendered impotent. No project could be executed, councils couldn’t be efficiently, we kept quiet under this ignoble condition for 31 months out of our 36months tenure of office, but did not consider any war against the administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun.
“We have endured the last 33 months and ready to tread the path of peace for remaining 2 months by resolving the imbroglio amicably through round-table negotiation. As it is frivolous of anyone to accuse a 7-week old government of being responsible for the slavery, obnoxious rule and undemocratic cruelty of the immediate past Governor.
“We appeal to our Governor to look into and redress the issues of our welfare and entitlement in the past 33 months by the immediate past administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun. We assure His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun of our unflinching loyalty, cooperation, collaboration and partnership in the issues of development of our dear state. “
Penpushing also reports that, Lawal, appealed to the State Governor to look into the issue of their welfare and entitlements in the past 33 months by the immediate administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun.
He said, “20 LG and 37 LCDA in Ogun State collected a sum of ₦14million each in seven staggered installment spread over 31 months.That council Chairmen collected a sum of ₦229,000 each as monthly salary without additional, lawful allowances for this same period as provided for under the law.
“Out of 32 months in office, only 10 months security allowances of ₦500,000 were received by the Chairmen. Council Chairmen do not have official cars, no imprest and were subjects of ridicule by the last administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun”
The Chairman, while narrating their ordeal under the past administration said that no project could be executed, adding that councils could not be efficient, and they were kept under ignoble condition for 31 months out of 36 months tenure of office.
Penpushing reports that, he added that, all the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the local Governments were taken over by Ministries and Parastatals, while members were threatened, harassed, assaulted, and also impeached.
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria(ALGON) Chairman, made it known that the local government Chairmen has not been dissolved but only suspended, and that the Local Government does not have access to its fund since October, 2016 till date.
Penpushing further reports that,he added that Abiodun has integrity and he has promised not to tamper with the Local Government funds, with a believe in the rule of law, in which they will urge the Governor to also follow.
