2019 APGA gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Alex Otti has frowned
at the appointment of transition chairmen by Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State
and also raised alarm of a possible move to mismanage LGA funds through the TC
Chairmen. He raised this alarmed through a Press Release sent to Abia
Facts News and signed by his media aide Ferdinand Ekeoma.
READ ALSO:
A Loyal Force In Abia's Rebirth: Dogo Bende Celebrates Emetu's Leadership And Legacy
In the Press Release, he expressed his disappointment at the
appointment of TC Chairmen even though the Federal Government has stated that
they will not tolerate appointed Chairmen to manage the funds which are to be
sent directly to the LGA.
READ ALSO:
EXCLUSIVE (ABIA): Isialangwa North On Fire Over Alleged M-urder, Destruction | VIDEO
READ ALSO:
BREAKING: CJN to swear-in acting Chief Judge for FCT Today
Appointment Of LG TC Chairmen In Abia As An Exercise
Against Development.
READ ALSO:
2023 Census Ad-Hoc Staff Recruitment: NPC Sets Screening Date For Applicants
The Alex Otti team received with disappointment, the news of
the appointment of 17 LGA Transition Committee Chairmen and their Deputies by
the executive governor of Abia state, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.
READ ALSO:
Birthday: Emenike Iroegbu Celebrates Ikechukwu Emetu, Praises His Support for Otti's Agenda
We are disappointed because we are very much aware that the
Federal Government, in a bid to halt the siphoning of LGA allocations by
governors who hitherto exploited the loophole provided by the State-Local
Government Joint Account, took measures aimed at ensuring that allocations for
LGAs go straight to their accounts, with a threat to punish those who fail to
utilize such funds prudently for the development of their councils.
READ ALSO:
Osun Poll: "It Is Time For The Disaster Called APC To Go"- PDP Governors' Forum
The Federal Government also made it clear that it would not
tolerate the appointment of TC Chairmen to manage the affairs of various LGAs
as that would give state governors the opportunity to manipulate the LGAs, and
possibly mismanage the LGA funds.
READ ALSO:
Birthday: Former Deputy Governor Ude Oko Chukwu Celebrates Ikechukwu Emetu, Offers Prayers for Strength in Building New Abia
In the light of the aforementioned developments, we are
taken aback by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu's decision to resort to this
retrogressive political action, and thus state the following:
READ ALSO:
Lucky Igbokwe Mourns Abia Iconic Women, Adanma Okpara, Victoria Ironsi
1. That having had LGA Chairmen, both elected and appointed
whose allocations were controlled by the Ikpeazu led government, and whose
scorecards were extremely disastrous due to mismanagement of the LGA funds, it
would amount to leadership insensitivity for the Okezie Ikpeazu led government
to insist on toeing same undemocratic path that harms the general well-being of
the people, especially at the grassroots.
READ ALSO:
DETAILED: How gunmen attacked prison officials, freed six suspects in Plateau
2. That Abia has one of the worst records in workers and
pensioners' welfare in the federation, with some workers in state government
owned institutions and pensioners being owed up to 10 months salary arrears and up to 22 months pension
arrears, thus we did not expect that this government would resort to taking
actions that would aggravate the sorry state of things in the state, especially
in the rural areas.
READ ALSO:
REVEALED: Bende Youths Declare Total Support for Alex Otti's 2027 Return, Back Chimaobi Desmond Anyaso for Reps Seat
3. That the alarming unemployment rate and general
underdevelopment of the local governments have propelled Rural-Urban migration
to an alarming level, and subsequently increased rapidly, the level of
insecurity, like armed robbery and kidnapping in the state to a frightening
dimension, hence the need for the government to refrain from all actions that
are capable of worsening the situation.
READ ALSO:
GRAND RECEPTION: Massive Crowd Endorses Alex Otti for 2027 as He Unveils Bold Plans to Transform Umuahia | WATCH VIDEO
4. That if the Ikpeazu led government truly upholds both the
principle of separation of powers and transparency as it repeatedly claims, it
should concentrate on areas within its jurisdiction, and allow the third tier
of government (LGAs) to freely and effectively utilize their resources in
working for the people at the grassroots, while the State and LGA legislatures
scrutinize and checkmate their activities.
READ ALSO:
Chimaobi Desmond Anyaso Challenges Youths on Enterprise, Leadership, Backs Continuity of Otti's Reforms
5. That there are already reports from reliable sources of
alleged plot by the government to illegally collaborate with the TC Chairmen
and raise their security votes to the tune of 20Million, with the alleged
intent of collecting same back from the Chairmen through the back door for
purposes of diversion. This plot bears same government's notorious trademark of
financial malfeasance that has crippled the LGA system nay Abia state as a
whole.
READ ALSO:
A Loyal Force In Abia's Rebirth: Dogo Bende Celebrates Emetu's Leadership And Legacy
6. We humbly request Abia lawmakers both at the National and
State Assembly to lend their voices and demand that LGA election be held
immediately in Abia as that is one of the ways to prove that they are concerned
representatives of the people.
READ ALSO:
EXCLUSIVE (ABIA): Isialangwa North On Fire Over Alleged M-urder, Destruction | VIDEO
7. Finally, we call on the federal government and the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to expedite action and ensure
that LGA election is held in Abia urgently in the interest of the suffering
citizens, while we appeal to the Ikpeazu led government to disappoint its
critics for once by showing willingness in turning things around in the
councils by partnering with FG and INEC to conduct LGA election quickly.
READ ALSO:
BREAKING: CJN to swear-in acting Chief Judge for FCT Today
READ ALSO:
2023 Census Ad-Hoc Staff Recruitment: NPC Sets Screening Date For Applicants
READ ALSO:
Birthday: Emenike Iroegbu Celebrates Ikechukwu Emetu, Praises His Support for Otti's Agenda
READ ALSO:
Osun Poll: "It Is Time For The Disaster Called APC To Go"- PDP Governors' Forum
READ ALSO:
Birthday: Former Deputy Governor Ude Oko Chukwu Celebrates Ikechukwu Emetu, Offers Prayers for Strength in Building New Abia
