Kogi ALGON Chairman, Four Others Suspended

 Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja
Kogi State House of Assembly yesterday suspended the state Chairman, Kogi State chapter of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Alhaji Taofiq Isa of Ijumu local government council and four other administrators from office for reckless spending.
Already the Kogi State Government has assure the people of the state that there is nothing to worry about over the alleged suspension of the five administrators.

Others 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 was as a result of matters of urgent public importance which was raised by Elder Friday Sani of Igalamela/Odolu Constituency 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”.

According to him, 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.

However in a swift reaction, the Kogi State Government has assure the people of the state that there is nothing to worry about latest developments in the State House of Assembly over alleged suspension.
This was contained in a press statement issued yesterday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor. Mrs. Petra Akinti Onyegbule which copy was made available to THISDAY.

According to the press statement, the resolution of the House was 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 Honourable 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,” the statement added.

The press statement therefore urged 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.