For sometime the events happening in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area are giving much concern to social commentators, political pundits and all well meaning citizens of Rivers State.
For seven months, Obio/Akpor council was in “coma” following the suspension of it’s chairman, Prince Hon. Timothy Nsirim, his deputy and the seventeen (17) councilors by the “Comatose” Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA).
The dissolution of the OBALGA council raise a lot of dust within and outside the political circle.
Several Rivers people kicked against the dissolution, while few applauded the decision of the “moribund” RSHA.
However, the sack of the Obalga council ushered in a 7 man Caretaker Committee (CTC), headed by Hon. Chikodi Dike.
In order to claim the mandate given to him by the people of Obio/Akpor, Hon . Nsirim approached the High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, where he told the court resided over by Hon. Justice I. A. Iyayi-Lamikanra that his sack did not follow a due process. Precisely on Monday November 25, 2013, the judge gave a verdict and ordered the immediate reinstatement of Hon. Nsirim, his deputy and the seventeen (17) councilors.
Barely two days after the court order, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi again announced the dissolution of the Obalga council.
Governor Amaechi’s pronouncement on the dissolution of Obalga, many described it as ‘misuse of executive power and politics of the highest order.
Local Government administration is indispensable in any country operates federal system of governance. It is the government that closer to the people. It identifies and proffers solutions to the needs of the people at the Grassroots. The important of Local Government in the development of any community cannot be overemphasized.
I am one of the proponents of local government autonomy in Nigeria. For better and effective community development, local government system needs to be independent. The basic reason why several of the council chairmen cannot deliver the dividends of democracy is because of the too much interference of the council administration by state governments.
Indisputably, Governor Amaechi’s intermeddle with the Obalga councils has retarded development in the area. Public office holders and elected officers should allow the chairmen of their respective local government councils to function, so as to ensure total development at the grassroots. ###
Damiete West
08037502931
