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Tag: ALGON

  • ALGON chief : why we’re still in office

    ALGON chief : why we’re still in office

    The Chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Abiodun Idowu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, has explained why the reinstated council executives are still occupying office despite the statutory expiration of their tenure last October.

    The ALGON chairman, speaking with The Nation yesterday, said their continued stay was backed by law and pending legal processes they initiated at the Federal High Court, Osogbo to determine their tenure.

    It will be recalled that the APC executives were elected into office in October 2022, but were later sacked by a Federal High Court. Subsequently, Governor Ademola Adeleke removed them from office via Executive Order in November, hinging his decision on the court verdict.

    The Court of Appeal on February 10, 2025 purportedly reinstated them in office and since, the APC executives have been in control of the councils.

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    Idowu said statutorily their tenure should end in October 2025, but Governor Adeleke interrupted their tenure for over two years, after which Appeal Court reinstated them in office and the verdict was never challenged in Supreme Court to date.

    He noted that they were expected to start counting the days of their tenure in office from the day Appeal Court verdict ousted Adeleke’s Executive Order and upheld their election.

    The ALGON boss, who is the chairman of Ifedayo Local Government, said: “We are in court, we are not requesting for tenure elongation and we’ve started correcting people on that. What we request for is tenure determination. We are not begging for any extension, but to determine whether our tenure ends in October or not because we started our term in office on February 10, 2025.

    “Adeleke used Executive Order to sack us from office, instead of waiting for us to exhaust legal means to determine the matter.

    “When he (Adeleke) was elected as the governor, but later sacked by the tribunal, was he forcefully removed from office? He was given free hands to exhaust legal means till Supreme Court. But he denied us that privilege.”

    Responding to a question about a pending court matter, he said: “Our case is still in court to determine our tenure. The matter is coming up on February 3. If the matter goes otherwise, we are still going to exhaust our legal avenue to the Supreme Court.”

  • ALGON, APC raise alarm over alleged plot to stall governance at Osun LGAs 

    ALGON, APC raise alarm over alleged plot to stall governance at Osun LGAs 

    The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Osun State and the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Monday raised the alarm over alleged plots to stall governance at the local government areas of the state. 

    This is just as APC alleged that despite Supreme and Appeal Court verdicts which backed the reinstated executives, Osun State Government has concluded plan to procure order from Federal High Court and Magistrate to stall governance at the grassroots levels. 

    The Nation recalled that amid the control crisis between council executives of APC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), several court verdicts and cases set room for confusion as to decided who is legally backed by the law to be in-charge of LGAs. 

    Meanwhile, executives of APC have been at councils since February 2025 and LGA workers who backed PDP excos later resumed duties on Monday. 

    Addressing newsmen at APC State Secretariat, ALGON chairman, Abiodun Idowu, blamed Osun State Government for defiance to apex court verdicts on the legitimate excos of the council.

    Idowu who is the Ifedayo Council chairman, said “Procurement of court order everywhere every time is an impediment to the development in Osun State m,it has caused us a lot of damages. We, local government chairmen cannot function under that process, they have gone to several High Court within and outside Osun State. 

    “We are over overhearing now that ,they are still going to Magistrate Court, I wonder after we have go to several courts all to Supreme Court, they are now reversing to Magistrate Court.This is just an attempt to to stop development in Osun State.”

    Read Also: APC, ALGON slam NULGE over demands

    Also, APC through its Director of Media, Chief Kola Olabisi urged the National Judicial Council(NJC) to treat petition filed against some judges over their conducts in granting orders. 

    “The entire judiciary of the country is further humbly notified that the judgments in Appeal No: CA/AK/15/2025 and the Supreme Court Suit No. SC/CV/773/2025 have jointly put to rest any purported claim of the Osun State Government over the Local Government Council allocations and subsistence of office of the APC Chairmen and Councillors. 

    “This is against the background of the latest self-deceit of the Osun State Government which has returned again to the Federal High Court and the Magistrate Court in Suit No. FHC/OS/CS/291/2025 and Charge No. MOS/601C/2025> respectively over the same subject matter already settled by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.”

    Efforts to get reaction from Osun State Government was abortive as the Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi did not respond to calls and text sent to his phone as at the time of filing this report. 

  • APC, ALGON fault NULGE over conditions for Osun council workers’ resumption

    APC, ALGON fault NULGE over conditions for Osun council workers’ resumption

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) and a faction of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) have criticised the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) over the conditions attached to the planned resumption of council workers in Osun State on January 5, 2026.

    The Nation reports that NULGE had directed its members to return to work after about 11 months of strike action, which followed the crisis over the control of local government councils claimed by both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The President of NULGE, Kehinde Ogungbangbe, had outlined conditions for resumption, including the provision of security for workers and the prevention of APC executives from occupying council offices. He argued that the tenure of the APC-backed officials had expired and that they lacked the authority to allocate council funds.

    Reacting, the APC, through its Director of Media, Chief Kola Olabisi, accused Ogungbangbe of partisan conduct, alleging that the union embarked on a sympathy strike in support of Governor Ademola Adeleke and abandoned its duties for political reasons.

    Olabisi questioned the authority of NULGE to interpret court judgments, accusing the union of overstepping its mandate and interfering in matters beyond its statutory role. He described the conditions set by the union for resumption as unacceptable and inconsistent with civil service procedures.

    He further alleged that the Osun NULGE leadership had become entangled in political interests, insisting that its actions undermined neutrality expected of public servants.

    Similarly, the ALGON chairman, Hon. Samuel Abiodun, warned that security agencies should hold the NULGE chairman responsible for any breach of peace or breakdown of law and order during the resumption of workers at the councils.

    Read Also: After 11 months strike, Osun NULGE resumes Jan. 5

    He warned, “The monetary-induced NULGE executives to desist from any act capable of undermining the peace, unity and tranquillity that the people of the grassroots have been enjoying since the reinstatement of the Council Chairmen and Councillors.”

    “We are aware of the shenanigans being orchestrated by the embattled NULGE President since our reinstatement, as he has shown clearly to the whole world his unchecked partisanship and bias. As we reaffirm our commitment to peace, unity, harmony, cohesion, and stability across the councils, we want to put our security agencies on alert in case there’s a breakdown of law and order.”

  • ALGON holds talks on community empowerment, rural development

    ALGON holds talks on community empowerment, rural development

    The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in collaboration with Aspitah Global Resources Ltd, on Wednesday held a national conference on how to secure and develop rural areas of the country.

    The meeting, which had representatives from all the 774 local government councils, was held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The meeting focused on “security and community safety, rural community empowerment through value chain development, Climate Smart Agriculture, renewable energy, industrial transformation, and localising Sustainable Development Goals.”

    The gathering also discussed decentralisation, collaboration with investors, and empowerment through Small and Medium Enterprise Business, as well as agriculture and energy transition, among other areas for exploration.

    The event featured paper presentations on local government departments and plenary sessions, after which there was a Question and Answer (Q & A) session.

    The ALGON National President, Bello Lawal, represented by Chief Odunayo Ategbero, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, themed the conference: “Driving Sustainable Development Through LGAs,” highlghting the importance of strengthening rural governance capacity.

    Ategbero said it was worth mentioning that under Hon. Lawal’s leadership, ALGON was demonstrating its capacity to address most of the challenges confronting local governments.

    He thanked President Bola Tinubu for hosting the conference, emphasising its potential benefits to communities, recalling the Autonomy Judgment of July 11, 2024.

    Ms. Latifah Isah of the Aspitah Global Resources Limited said “the conference marks a significant step towards strengthening rural governance and promoting sustainable development in Nigeria’s local governments.”

    Read Also: Council allocations: ALGON president disowns suit against Fed Govt, others

    The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, who spoke at conference said the initiatives by ALGON align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    Nnaji used the occasion to unveil several milestones achieved by the Ministry and highlighted the importance of building a partnership with ALGON to develop the Sustainable Energy Access Project (SEAP), a key initiative of the Ministry.

    Prominent at the meeting were ALGON chairmen from various states, including Jauro Hassan (Taraba), Ikenna Adikibe (Imo), Fasua Gbenga (Ondo), Samila Husani Moniki (Zamfara), and Abubakar Abdullahi (Kwara), etc.

    Key speakers at the conference included Prof. Banji Oyeyinka, Senior Special Adviser to the President on the African Development Bank; Mr. Bryan Aminu, Data Analytics; Mr. Liu Song Zheng Brian, CEO of CKK Power and Engineering; Ms. Latifah Aspitah Isah, CEO of Aspitah Global Resources; General Timothy Olugboyega Olowomeye (rtd); Mr. Richardson Ojeka; and Dr. Fasua Tope Kolade, among others.

  • Council allocations: ALGON president disowns suit against Fed Govt, others

    Council allocations: ALGON president disowns suit against Fed Govt, others

    • ‘Plaintiff unknown to group’

    President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Bello Lawal has dissociated the group from a suit filed by one Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, who claimed to be a national officer of ALGON.

    Abubakar had sued the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice and the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and others in the name of the Registered Trustees of ALGON.

    In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/353/2025 filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the plaintiff wants the court to among others, include ALGON in the disbursement of local governments’ allocations.

    He also wants the court to declare that in view of the Supreme Court decision of July 11, 2024 on financial autonomy to LGAs, their allocations should only be disbursed with ALGON’s approval.

    However, in fresh documents filed by Lawal, the court is prayed to join him as a defendant to enable him discontinue the suit, which he said was not authorised by ALGON.

    Lawal, who claimed that Abubakar was unknown to ALGON, has also filed a notice of discontinuance along with a preliminary objection, challenging the competence of the suit.

    The notice of discontinuance reads: “Take notice that the named plaintiff, the name of the Registered Trustees of ALGON, pursuant to Order 50 Rule 2 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure Rules) 2019, hereby discontinue the above-named suit against all the defendants.

    “Take further notice that the suit was not authorised, instructed or initiated with the permission of the Incorporated Trustees Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).”

    Read Also: ALGON lauds progress made on S’Court judgment implementation

    In a supporting affidavit deposed to by the Director, Legal Services in ALGON, Mrs. Evan Enekwe, it was stated that Abubakar was also neither a national officer of ALGON nor a staff.

    Mrs. Enekwe stated that “the deponent, who filed this suit, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, is unknown to ALGON as he is not a Trustee, member of the ALGON National Executive Council, its staff or a chapter chairman.

    “The 24th defendant (Lawal) is the duly elected President of ALGON, the plaintiff in this case.

    The Board of Trustees of the plaintiff did not authorise or consent to the filing of this suit by Mr. Mohammed Abubakar in its name.

    “Since discovering this unauthorised suit, the Board has written to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and other defendants in this suit to notify them that this suit was filed without the Board’s authority or consent.

    “ALGON National Executive Council (NFC) has also, since the commencement of this suit, issued a disclaimer and dissociated itself with the said Mohammed Abubakar and this suit filed by him without its authority or consent, and which does not represent its position in relation to the activities of the Presidential Committee for Implementation of Supreme Court judgement in suit No. SC CV/343/2024.

     “Mr. Abubakar Mohamed, who deposed to the affidavit in support of this suit, is not a member of ALGON and has never been ALGON Secretary General and does not have the locus standi to file this action, not being an executive officer, or even a staff of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).

    “The purported search report of 8th March 2024 (Exhibit B), attached by Mr. Abubakar, was fraudulently obtained by Mr. Mohammed and his cohorts after they unlawfully infiltrated ALGON CAC records and made alterations.”

  • ALGON lauds progress made on S’Court judgment implementation

    ALGON lauds progress made on S’Court judgment implementation

    The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) yesterday  commended the progress made by the federal government on the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment that granted financial autonomy to local governments in Nigeria.

     The commendation was given during the association’s meeting in Abuja.

     “The federal government’s implementation committee has made significant strides despite encountering challenges,” Chairman of ALGON’s Board of Trustees, Odunayo Ategbero, stated.

     During the meeting, the implementation committee reminded the local government councils to open accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for seamless financial operations. 

    ALGON said the autonomy will address critical issues such as security, health and education at the grassroots level.

     “With over 80% of Nigerians residing in local government areas, it is important to empower the third tier of government to rapidly drive social, political, economic and infrastructural development at the grassroots.

    Read Also: Why NGF is silent on Rivers crisis, by DG Shittu

     “This includes implementing developmental issues, such as security, health, education, and more, to better the lives of citizens at the grassroots level,” Ategbero said.

    The association noted that, with the autonomy, democracy has returned to the local government level, which will compel state governors to conduct genuine elections -a departure from the past where tickets were handed out to favourable candidates.

    Former National President of ALGON, Ibrahim Dasuki Jalo, stated that the association will partner states and the federal government to achieve maximum results.

    At the meeting were four ALGON National Presidents, including Felix Akahabue and Alabi Koala David,, Chairman Conference 57 Lagos and ALGON Chairman Lagos state, alongside Aminu Maifata, the new Commissioners for Local Government in Nasarawa state.  

    Also in attendance were Isaiah Esiovwa, National Organizing Secretary, Tariye Isaac Lelei, ALGON Bayelsa Aston Financial Secretary, Oluwa Samuel Ojo, Ekiti ALGON National Treasure Sydney Edeh, Enugu, Assistant National Publicity, Hanani Mohammed, National Publicity Secretary, Plateau, ALGON Delta, Moses Nomeh, among others.

  • LG Autonomy: ALGON commends FG on S’Court judgment implementation efforts

    LG Autonomy: ALGON commends FG on S’Court judgment implementation efforts

    The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has commended progress made by the Federal Government on the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment that granted financial autonomy to local governments in Nigeria.

    The commendation was given during the association’s meeting in Abuja on Friday.

    “The federal government’s implementation committee has made significant strides despite encountering challenges,” Chairman of ALGON’s Board of Trustees, Odunayo Ategbero, stated.

    During the meeting, the implementation committee reminded the local government councils to open accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for seamless financial operations.

    ALGON said the autonomy will address critical issues such as security, health and education at the grassroots level.

    “With over 80% of Nigerians residing in local government areas, it is important to empower the third tier of government to rapidly drive social, political, economic and infrastructural development at the grassroots.

    “This includes implementing developmental issues, such as security, health, education, and more, to better the lives of citizens at the grassroots level,” Ategbero said.

    The association noted that, with the autonomy, democracy has returned to the local government level, which will compel state governors to conduct genuine elections -a departure from the past where tickets were handed out to favourable candidates.

    Former National President of ALGON, Ibrahim Dasuki Jalo, stated that the association will partner States and the Federal Government to achieve maximum results.

  • ALGON’s recognition for reinstated Osun APC chairmen

    ALGON’s recognition for reinstated Osun APC chairmen

    Amid crisis of control of Osun State councils, the national body of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has recognised the reinstated chairmen, who are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the valid executives of the 30 councils.

    The Nation recalls that the Appeal Court verdict purportedly reinstated APC council executives, who were sacked shortly after they were elected in 2022. But Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) organised another election on February 22, which the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) candidates won.

    There has been confusion in Osun State, as two factions of ALGON in the state, one supporting APC and the other backing PDP are laying claim over the councils.

    Read Also: Fubara, Amaewhule gone with Tinubu’s emergency declaration

    The national ALGON letter of recognition was dated March 17, 2025, signed by the Acting Director General of ALGON, Evan Enekwe, on behalf of the National President, Bello Lawal, made available to reporters by APC Osun State ALGON Chairman, Idowu Abiodun (Ifedayo Local Government). It was titled: ‘Re: Court of Appeal Judgment Delivered on 10th February 2025; Appeal to Local Government Workers in Osun to resume work’.

    The letter said: “I am directed to inform you that ALGON leadership has been keenly following political development as it affects local government councils in Osun State and condemns the unnecessary and wanton destruction of lives and property, most especially the death of Hon. Abbas, a member of ALGON.

    “We extend our condolences and pray against such occurrences. ALGON is a law-abiding association that believes in the rule of law and consequently will uphold the decision of the Court of Appeal, which reinstated you and your peers as the legal council chairmen in Osun State. ALGON will recognise you as such.”

    The national ALGON advocated caution, tolerance and maturity in navigating the precarious situation.

  • 13 Bauchi LGAs have zero immunisation, LG boss raises concern

    13 Bauchi LGAs have zero immunisation, LG boss raises concern

    The Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Bauchi State, Mahmoud Babamaji, has raised concerns over the high number of unvaccinated children in the state.

    According to him, the state is facing an immunisation crisis with 13 out of its 20 local government areas having children who have never received any vaccines.

    Speaking in Jos, Plateau State, during an advocacy meeting on nutrition and child well-being, Babamaji described the situation as deeply troubling.

    He assured that local governments would work closely with healthcare officials to improve immunisation coverage.

    “The issue of zero-dose children in our LGAs is quite challenging, but we are committed to ensuring no child is left unvaccinated,” he said.

    Read Also: IBB: I wasn’t afraid of Abacha, only concerned for my safety

    Meanwhile, the Chief of Field, UNICEF Bauchi Office, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, revealed that Bauchi has one of the highest child malnutrition rates in Nigeria, with 54,000 cases recorded.

    “Three out of ten children in Bauchi are severely malnourished, while six are moderately malnourished. Many of these children have never received any vaccinations,” she said.

    Rafique further disclosed that 13 out of Bauchi’s 20 LGAs have zero-dose children, making them highly vulnerable to deadly diseases like polio.

    She called on local government chairpersons to take urgent action, ensuring that no child is left unprotected from preventable diseases.

  • 2027: Benue ALGON endorses Tinubu, Alia

    2027: Benue ALGON endorses Tinubu, Alia

    The Benue State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has officially endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Alia as their candidates for President and Governor, respectively, in the 2027 elections.

    Chairman of ALGON Benue, Hon. Maurice Orwough, made the announcement at his HUDCO quarters residence in Makurdi on Tuesday.

    Hon. Orwough praised both Tinubu and Alia for their exemplary leadership and stated that they deserved a second term for their contributions to governance.

    “Benue farmers and people are happy with Mr.Presdent for providing security for farmers to go back to their land after spending almost 20 years in IDPs camps.

    Read Also: Insecurity forces closure of schools in Benue LGA, says ALGON chairman

    For Governor Alia ,Hon Orwough said ” Since coming into office the Rev.Gentleman has turn around both the plight of civil servants,pensioners, farmers, students and all sectors of the economy and it’s fair and just to give him a second time to do more”.

    As part of the 2025 campaign, Hon. Orwough along side other stakeholders decorated his official  house with posters of Mr.President and Governor Alia .