Kogi Assembly suspends ALGON chair, four others

The Kogi State House of Assembly has suspended the state Chairman of Association of  Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Alhaji Taofiq Isa of Ijumu Local Government Area and four other administrators from office for reckless spending.

Also suspended local government administrators are Mr. Baron Okwoli of Igalamela/Odolu, Mr. Moses Akande of Ogori/Magongo, Mr. Moses Olorunleke of Kabba/Bunu and Mr. Abdulrahim Ohiere of Okehi local government council.

The suspension came as a result of matters of urgent public importance which was raised by Elder Dr. Friday Paul Sani of Igalamela/Odolu Constituency at the floor of the House to the effect that “the decision of the House to ask questions on the administration of Local Government Areas in the State is not out of place”.

He explained the affected Administrators are perpetually in Lokoja instead of performing their primary responsibility.

“They spent without appropriation. The House must not be undermined and so therefore, the five administrators be suspended to allow for investigation. The Secretaries of the local government are to act in their stead,” he said.

Hon. Sunday Abayomi Pedro of Mopa Muro Constituency who seconded the motion said “its about time this House started its oversight functions otherwise we may live to regret it”.

Hon. Barrister  Oluwatoyin Lawal of Yagba West Constituency supported the motion laying emphasis on the doctrine of Separation of Power that confers the duty of over sighting the local government areas on the State House of Assembly.

Hon. Momoh Alfa Rabiu of Ankpa II Constituency in supporting the motion frown at the actions of the local government Administrators taking the House for granted.

He agreed with the mover of the motion that the Administrators so suspended should remain suspended till further notice.

The affected Administrators are to hand over the property of the local government in their possession as secretaries take over the administration pending the outcome of the investigation while the Public Accounts Committee /Public Finance and Appropriation have been empowered to invite the suspended Administrators for questioning.

Meanwhile,  the  state government wishes to assure the people of the State that there is nothing to worry about over developments in the State House of Assembly over alleged suspension of some Local Government Administrators via a motion on the floor of the House.

This was contained in a statement signed by the press Secretary Mrs. PetraAkinti Onyegbule copy of which was made available to newsmen in lomlja, on Tuesday.

The statement said the resolution of the House is yet to be communicated to the Governor who appointed the Administrators. Such communication is expected to detail the offences committed by the Administrators.

His Excellency will continue to hold the Assembly in high esteem and will never inhibit their operations in respect to the principle of separation of powers. It is expected that the Assembly members will reciprocate the good gesture of the Governor by avoiding the temptation of giving room to destructive politics.

Governor Yahaya Bello will continue to work harmoniously with the members of the State House of Assembly.

It is also worth emphasis here that until such communication is done, the Administrators would not be expected to leave a vacuum in the administration of their respective Local Government Areas.

To this end therefore, we urge the people to remain calm and avoid taking the laws into their hands, as security agents will not allow for a breakdown of law and order.