TheNewsGuru

Tag: LG

  • Rivers LG polls to hold August 30

    Rivers LG polls to hold August 30

    The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has announced August 30 as the new date for the 2025 local government elections.

    The exercise was initially scheduled for August 9.

    According to the Chairman of RSIEC, Michael Odey, the election will now be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025.

    The announcement was made on Monday during a meeting of stakeholders at the RSIEC headquarters in Port Harcourt, where the agency unveiled the revised timetable and guidelines for the upcoming polls.

    Odey explained that the decision to postpone the election was necessitated by the state of emergency declared in the state, which disrupted earlier plans.

    He noted that in view of the new realities, it became imperative to adjust the electoral calendar.

    The revised timetable includes new dates for party primaries, screening of candidates, campaign periods, and the main council elections.

    Stakeholders, including party leaders, electoral observers, and media representatives, were present at the unveiling to review and discuss the updated guidelines.

    According to the revised guidelines, participating political parties are expected to conduct their primaries between July 31 and August 3, 2025, and submit the names of their candidates on August 3 and August 4, 2025.

    RESIEC said that electioneering would begin on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.

    It said that the recruitment of ad-hoc staff for the elections would be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025.

    The agency also said the list of candidates would be displayed on Wednesday, August 20, 2025.

  • Rivers govt. appoints new members of Civil Service, LG commissions

    Rivers govt. appoints new members of Civil Service, LG commissions

    The Sole Administrator of Rivers, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) has approved the appointment of members of the Civil Service Commission and Local Government Service Commission.

    Prof. Ibibia Worika, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), announced the appointments in a press statement issued to newsmen in Port Harcourt on Wednesday and said that the appointments took effect from April 7, 2025

    Dr Livinus Bariki is appointed as the Chairman of  Civil Service Commission while Mr Lot Peter Egopija, Mrs Maeve Ere Bestman, Mrs Joy Obiaju, and Mrs Charity Lloyd Harry are appointed as memebers.

    On the Local Government Service Commission appointments, Mr Israel Amadi is the Chairman, while Mr Linus Nwandem, Mrs Christabel George Didia, and Dr Tonye Willie Pepple, are members.

    Other members are Mr Richard Ewoh, Rear Adm. Emmanuel Ofik (Rtd), and Dr Sammy Apiafi.

  • LG: Adeleke has lost public trust, struggling to control – APC

    LG: Adeleke has lost public trust, struggling to control – APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged Osun Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to comply with the Court of Appeal ruling, saying he has lost public trust in the state.

    The opposting party said the governor to obey the court ruling reinstating APC Local Government chairmen and councillors.

    Mr Kola Olabisi, the party’s Osun chapter Director of Media and Publicity, made the call in Abuja on Sunday. He spoke at a news conference about Osun’s political situation.

    He stated that governance should prioritise democracy dividends, truth, and due process, not political vendettas. He criticised the ongoing discord between Adeleke and his predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola.

    Olabisi described the conflict between Adeleke and Oyetola, now Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, as political mockery that damages Osun’s reputation for political wisdom.

    “We are deeply concerned about the political mockery in Osun, a state known for the intelligence and political astuteness of its people,” he said.

    He noted that for three weeks, Osun had received negative media coverage due to Adeleke’s refusal to implement the ruling reinstating APC’s sacked Local Government chairmen.

    Olabisi expressed disappointment that Adeleke ignored advice from the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Inspector-General of Police to respect the court’s decision.

    “The ongoing political crisis shows that Governor Adeleke has lost public trust. He is now struggling to maintain control,” he said.

    He urged Adeleke to implement the Court of Appeal’s Feb. 10 judgment in the interest of the rule of law.

    Olabisi defended Oyetola’s administration, stating that all legal and procedural requirements were followed. He dismissed claims that procurement rules were violated as misleading.

    He noted that contracts awarded under Oyetola’s tenure adhered strictly to the State Public Procurement Law, countering allegations of irregularities.

    “The committee making these accusations was created by the new administration to target Oyetola. This is political persecution, not a genuine anti-corruption effort,” he said.

    On the money laundering allegations against the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Olabisi dismissed them as unproven and lacking credible evidence.

    He argued that without bank records or an independent audit report, claims of fund mismanagement and illicit cash withdrawals remained baseless.

    He emphasised that financial transactions alone do not indicate wrongdoing unless backed by forensic investigation.

    “For clarity, the $20.467 million was converted into ₦6.26 billion and credited by the CBN to Osun Government’s account. The CBN records confirm this,” he explained.

    He maintained that governance should prioritise truth and due process, not political retribution. He challenged Adeleke’s administration to present evidence in court if credible.

    “Oyetola’s legacy is one of responsible leadership. No politically motivated accusations can erase his achievements,” he added.

    Olabisi highlighted Oyetola’s achievements, including upgrading 332 primary healthcare centres and rehabilitating General Hospital in Ejigbo Local Government.

    He noted that Oyetola also built a world-class 120-bed ward at the State Specialist Hospital, Asubiaro, and improved medical facilities across Osun.

  • Police confirm 6 deaths in Osun LG crisis

    Police confirm 6 deaths in Osun LG crisis

    The Police Command in Osun has confirmed that six persons lost their lives in the crisis over the control of local government secretariats in Osun on Monday.

    The crisis erupted between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), over the Court of Appeal judgment sacking of APC council chairmen and councillors.

    According to NAN, the PDP claimed that the Feb. 10 judgment of the Court of Appeal did not reinstate the sacked APC chairmen and councillors elected in 2022, APC insisted on their return.

    This is contained in a statement by the command`s spokesperson, CSP Yemisi Opalola, on Tuesday in Osogbo.

    Opalola said that several people also sustained injuries during the crisis.

    She, however, said that the Inspector -General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had deployed mobile policemen to the state to ensure a peaceful atmosphere.

    Opalola said that the mobile police, who were deployed from other states, arrived on Monday night.

    She said that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mohammed Abba, had ordered a thorough investigation into the crisis, with a promise that perpetrators would be prosecuted.

    ‘The event of yesterday left six people dead and many people  hospitalised.We are not happy with what happened.

    “We expressed deepest sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives and property” she said.

    Opalola, who urged residents of the state to remain calm, said that the police would continue to ensure a peaceful atmosphere in the state.

    She warned those fueling trouble in the state to desist from the act, saying Osun is known for peace.We won’t allow anyone to disrupt the peace of our state.

    “The command will leave no stone unturned to achieve peace. Let us give peace a chance,” she said.

  • Appeal Court didn’t reinstate sacked LG chairmen, councillors – Adeleke

    Appeal Court didn’t reinstate sacked LG chairmen, councillors – Adeleke

    Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun said that contrary to the interpretation in some quarters, the Court of Appeal has not reinstated the sacked local government chairmen and councillors in the state.

    Adeleke made the clarification while addressing a news conference on Sunday in Osogbo.

    The governor explained that the Monday’s judgment of the Court of Appeal, Akure, was in a case filed by the opposition All Progressives Congress(APC) against an earlier verdict of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, over the 2022 local government election.

    He insisted that the council chairmen and councillors were sacked by the Federal High Court in Osogbo in two separate judgments.

    “Let me make it clear that the said council chairmen were sacked before I was sworn in as governor,” he disclosed.

    The, governor, however, said that the Court of Appeal judgment did not in anyway order the reinstatement of the sacked chairmen and councillors.

    “The general public is aware that there were two separate Federal High Court judgments on the local government election of 2022.

    “The first judgment was on the suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which sacked the product of the 2022 polls.

    “The second judgment was in the suit filed by the Action People Party (APP), which also sacked the chairmen and councillors produced by the said 2022 Osun Local Government polls.

    “The APC appeal against the judgment obtained by the PDP was partially successful.

    “The said judgment was struck out based on the timing of filing, having been filed before the notice of election was published.

    “It needs to be emphasised that the judgment contains no consequential order(s).

    “The APC in its amended notice of appeal, asked the Court of Appeal to reinstate the sacked chairmen and councillors, but the Court of Appeal in its wisdom said it has become an academic exercise.

    “The request for the reinstatement of the chairmen and councillors was not granted.

    “However, the appeal by the APC against the APP judgment did not succeed at the Court of Appeal, which makes the judgment still subsisting and alive.

    “The Court of Appeal dismissed the APC appeal against the judgment obtained by the APP.

    “The only legal recourse open to the APC is to appeal the APP judgment and the subsequent rulings of the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court,” the governor stated.

    He said that the Certified True Copies of both judgments had been given to the Commissioner of Police, the State Director of the Department State Security and the state Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

    The governor alleged that there was a deliberate plot by the opposition to create chaos and anarchy through the enforcement of “a non-existing court judgment on our local government.”

    Adeleke appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the matter before it leads to blood shed.

    “Let me affirm that I know Mr President to be a true democrat, a lover of rule of law, and a believer in the sanctity of the judicial process.

    “I know, as a matter of fact, that Mr President will never authorise a dictatorial violation of the constitution irrespective of who is involved.

    “It is crucial to add that Mr President will never support any action that is capable of generating bloodbath and bloodshed,” he said.

    Adeleke also alleged that some political leaders in the state had instructed the security agencies to effect a “non existent judgment” by forcefully taking over all the local government secretariats on Monday.

    “I want to place on notice the Nigerian public, and our friends in the diplomatic community and the lovers of democracy and rule of law that our people will not accept any attempt to impose illegality and anarchy on us.

    “We will not allow any takeover of the local government except through a judicial pronouncement or a democratic process.

    “We vehemently reject any ploy to deploy a non-existing court order to achieve local political power.

    “I, therefore, appeal to Mr President who is a renown democrat, to insist on the rule of law, by instructing the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of DSS, and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps not to obey an illegal order.

    “The Osun State security chiefs should also be called to order,” he said.

  • Just in: SEE full list as FG sets up inter-ministerial cttee to enforce verdict on LG autonomy

    Just in: SEE full list as FG sets up inter-ministerial cttee to enforce verdict on LG autonomy

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial Committee to enforce the Supreme Court judgement delivered on 11th July, 2024 granting financial autonomy to Local Governments in Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports this was contained in a statement signed by Information Director, Segun Imohiosen late Wednesday.

    The members of the committee are as follows:

    1. Secretary to the Government of the Federation – Chairman

    2. Hon. Minister of Finance & Coordinating Minister of the Economy -Member

    3. Attorney General of the Federation & Minister of Justice – Member

    4. Hon. Minister of Budget & Economic Planning

    5. Accountant General of the Federation

    6. Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria

    7. Permanent Secretary (Federal Ministry of Finance)

    8. Chairman, Revenue Mobilization Allocation & Fiscal Commission

    9. Representative of State Governors

    10. Representative of Local Governments

    The committee’s primary goal is to ensure that local governments are granted full autonomy, allowing them to function effectively without interference from state governments.

    This move is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, @officialABAT
    GCFR efforts to give appropriate implementation to the provisions of the Constitution, which recognizes local governments as the third tier of government.

  • Why 37 LCDAs can’t have same status as old LGs – Lagos Assembly

    Why 37 LCDAs can’t have same status as old LGs – Lagos Assembly

    The Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday said it would require a constitutional amendment for the 37 Local Council Development Areas(LCDAs)in the state to have  the same status as the 20 old councils.

    Speaker of the House,Mr Mudashiru Obasa ,said this at the second public hearing on the Local Government Administration Bill in Ikeja.

    NAN reports that the bill is titled: A Law to Provide for Local Governments’ System, Establishment and Administration and to Consolidate all Laws on Local Government Administration and for connected purposes.

    Obasa said the constitution only recognises 20  councils in tbe state and that  LCDAs would require constitutional recognition to operate as full-fledged councils.

    “It  will be recalled that this House of Assembly in 2003 had enacted a Law establishing 37 LCDAs.

    “However, until there is consequential constitutional amendment that will recognise the LCDAs as full-fledged Local Government, they will continue to be known as LCDAs.

    “The LCDAs will perform any duty assigned by a Law of the Lagos State House of Assembly; and executive directives from the state government”he said.

    Speaking on the provisions of the proposed law,Obasa said  the bill provided  that local governments under which the different LCDAs fall shall appoint Mayors for development areas.

    He,however,said such appointments shall be subject to the confirmation of the Assembly

    The Speaker said the bill also provided for the 20 LGs to fund the LCDAs under them.

    Obasa said this  was in conformity with the  recent judgment of the Supreme Court granting autonomy to the 774 Local Government councils, which the House was obligated to abide by.

    The Speaker noted the sub-clause (3) of the same clause 3, provided that the 20 local government areas would have designated LCDAS and their corresponding headquarters as listed in the first schedule to the bill.

    According to him, this is for the purpose of an efficient and effective local government administration in the state.

    Also speaking, the Chairman, House Committee on Local Government, Mr Okanlawon Sanni, said the objective  of the bill was to provide the  legal framework at ensuring LGAs and LCDAs provide effective service delivery at the grassroots level.

    Sanni said the bill also sought to ensure that all amendments in respect of  local government administration were well captured and incorporated to become law for optimal administration of the local governments of the state.

    He said all suggestions, opinions by various stakeholders at the public hearing would be considered on merit by the committee as part of its recommendations to the House for passage of the bill .

  • APC sweeps Ebonyi LG polls

    APC sweeps Ebonyi LG polls

    The Ebonyi Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) on Sunday declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of Saturday’s local council polls in the state.

    Mr Jossey Eze, Chairman of the commission, who announced this in Abakaliki said the party won all the 13 Chairmanship seats and 171 Ward Councillors.

    Eze said that three political parties: APC, APGA and LP participated in the polls.

    Eze announced that the commission has ratified and adopted the chairmanship results for the LGAs as announced by the various councils’ Returning Officers and the Councillorship results announced at the electoral wards.

    The chairman expressed joy that the exercise was peaceful and commended the security agencies and all the stakeholders on invaluable their support.

    He thanked all the stakeholders involved in the conduct of the elections, for their support and encouragement.

    Eze said, “I particularly thank the state government for not interfering in the conduct of the elections as this helped in making it credible, free, and fair.

    “The election has been won and lost, but the victory is for everybody who participated in the elections.

    “The winners should carry everybody along and everyone should contribute in delivering democratic dividends to people at the grassroots, which the local government areas represent.

    “This is the summary of the results as released by the returning officers in all the wards and local government areas: Mr Ebere Nwogba for Abakaliki LGA, Mr Timothy Agha win for Afikpo.

    “Edda council, Mr Chima Ekumamkama, Mr Chinedu Bernard for Ebonyi LGA. Ezza, Moses Nome. Mr Sunday Nwankwor for Ikwo and Ivo has Mr Emmanuel Ajah, among others.

  • Egor LG chairman fired over N1.7bn budget padding, gross misconduct

    Egor LG chairman fired over N1.7bn budget padding, gross misconduct

    The Legislative arm of Egor Local Government Area in Edo State has impeached the council’s chairman, Hon. Eghe Ogbemudia, over alleged padding of the council’s supplementary budget and other allegations of corruption.

    The impeachment was consequent upon a vote of no confidence against the chairman during a session of the legislative arm of the council.

    The impeachment sitting was presided over by the Leader of the House and Councillor representing Ward 3, Godwin Uwadiae Edigin.

    Shortly after a roll call of the legislative house, the Councillor representing Ward 2, Rt. Hon. Stella Osagioduwa Ogida, moved a motion for a no confidence vote against the chairman over allegations of gross misconduct.

    According to her, “This is the 10th month since our inauguration and we, the Councillors of Egor Legislative Arm do not have our offices. We have also uncovered the padding of the council’s supplementary budget to the tune of N1.7 billion. The Chairman did not involve the councilors in the preparation and approval of the council’s supplementary budget. After reviewing these actions and many other acts of gross misconduct, I want to pass a vote of no confidence on the chairman.”

    Seconding the motion, Hon. Ambassador Elliot Inneh, Councillor representing Ward 9, said: “We have tried to reach out to the Honourable Chairman to no avail. Before us today, we have a budget proposal amounting to N6.054bn that was passed through this hallowed chambers. To our greatest surprise, we found out that the Chairman in connivance with the erstwhile Leader of the House, went behind our back and padded the budget to the tune of N7.896bn.”

    The Leader of the House, Edigin, called for a voice vote, with the majority of Councillors conceding to the motion. A motion for impeachment was thereafter moved and passed.

  • S/Court judgment verdict on LG autonomy is victory for accountable governance, says Omo-Agege

    S/Court judgment verdict on LG autonomy is victory for accountable governance, says Omo-Agege

    …wantss FG to allow INEC to conduct elections

    Immediate past Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has commended the Supreme Court for its judgment giving financial autonomy to the 774 local government areas in the country.

    In a press statement he personally signed, Omo-Agege described the judgment as giving the much needed life to good democratic governance at the grassroots of our democracy and a victory for all Nigerians.

    However, he said more needed to be done to make the landmark judgment more impactful. To guarantee the the credibility of elections into local councils across Nigeria, Omo-Agege said the Constitution needs to be reviewed to transfer organisation of elections at the third tier to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The full text of his reaction read:
    “Standing firmly once again as the final, infallible judicial protector of the rule of law and constitutional order in our nation, the Supreme Court of Nigeria today delivered a bold, incisive and highly consequential judgment upholding the well-founded constitutional suit of the Federal Government ably led by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR on the critical need to guarantee full financial autonomy to the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in our Federal Republic.

    “By this unanimous landmark lead judgment, delivered by the highly cerebral Honourable Justice Emmanuel Agim, JSC, the full erudite panel of seven Noble Lords of the Supreme Court gave the much needed life to good democratic governance at the grassroots of our democracy. It is a good day for our democracy and constant desire for accountable governance at all levels in the polity.

    “Objectively considered, it can be easily said that today’s reasoned decision by their Lordships of the Supreme Court is a great win for all Nigerians, without exception. Even those who may have opposed the patriotic spirit and overriding national interest that fuelled the action instituted by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the highly respected Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN should easily come to terms with the truth that this judgment is good for the nation. The nation desperately needs unfettered financial autonomy for our LGAs to enhance their constitutional mandate to deliver good governance, provide qualitative basic amenities, and build robust human capital development across the country.

    “By affirming the full financial autonomy of the LGAs; restating that our LGAs can only be governed on the basis of proper democratic elections; declaring the appointment of LGA caretaker committees as a glaring constitutional aberration; declaring that no House of Assembly of a State has the power to make laws interfering with the finances of the LGAs; and consequentially directing the Federal Government to pay monies for the LGAs directly to them from the Federation Account, the Supreme Court commendably touched positively on the very justice of serious substantive issues that have become popular agitations by vigilant citizens over the years. The Court’s progressive interpretation of the law is profound, patriotic and worthy of serious applause.

    “It needs to be said that as profoundly far-reaching and helpful as today’s judgment sounds, its benefits may not fully crystalise for the good of the nation until the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) is further altered to guarantee the conduct of credible elections into the LGAs by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The nation must accept the whole truth that the perennial charade happening in many States in the name of LGA elections is unsustainable. We must terminate that collective shame and evolve a new electoral order that will produce credible leaders that will responsibly and judiciously manage the relative huge resources that will soon start flowing to the LGAs.

    “As patriotic citizens, we owe ourselves and the nation an eternal duty of vigilance to sustain our hard-earned democracy. This demands constant vigilance and healthy contestations to enrich the soul of our democracy as demonstrated by the Federal Government in submitting this action to the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court for civilised interpretation and healthy answers. Now that the answers have come, may the nation be better for it.”