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Tag: ALGON

  • ALGON, NULGE insist on right to collect council revenues

    The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) have said that the exclusive right to collect all the constitutionally recognised revenues by the 774 councils in the country rests on them.

    The two bodies said this in a joint statement they issued in Lagos yesterday. It was in reaction to another statement issued by the Joint Tax Board (JTB) in which it said some revenues were not collectible by the councils.

    They said that the 1999 Constitution as amended in the Fourth Schedule empowered the councils to collect certain revenue, such as market/motor park fees, radio/TV license fees and loading/offloading, among others, which the statement said the JTF had already harmonised.

    According to ALGON/NULGE, in view of this, they have appointed the Joint Mobile Advert Agency of Nigeria (JMOAN) and the Logistics Agency of Nigeria as their official consultants to provide logistics, provision of ICT facilities, vehicles, public enlightenment and other branding to facilitate the revenue collection, while “the actual assessment and collection are done by the local government revenue officials”.

    The two groups  also said that they set up a Biometric Pin Code Clearance, which is issued free of charge to ensure uniformity of council taxes all over the country and stop double taxation of motorists, adding that they had set up task forces to enforce this.

    According to them, these tax forces had arrested some defaulters who had been prosecuted for molesting motorists and collecting double taxation.

    The two bodies therefore urged corporate organisations, motorists and others to “make all the requisite payments on the demand notices served on them by their respective local governments in their domains and obtain receipts and bookings without fear of any molestation across the Federation”.

     

  • Court restrains ALGON chiefs

    Justice Abdulkadir Abdulkafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja has restrained Nwabueze Okafor and Ibrahim Dikko, claiming to be National Chairman and Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) to desist from parading themselves as such.

    Justice Abdulkafarati, while ruling on a suit filed by the Registered Incorporated Trustees of ALGON, Uthman Kassim Ibrahim (Chairman Board of Trustees of ALGON and Prince Cornelius Nnaji on behalf of all serving Local Government Chairmen, specifically ordered parties to maintain status quo ante bellum as at when the suit was filed.

    The order, which is to subsist until the determination of the suit, was informed by arguments by lawyers to parties in the case.

    Plaintiff’s lawyer, Ted Iseghohi-Edwards urged the court maintain status quo as at March last year. He drew the court’s attention to a subsisting judgment where it was held that Okafor and Dikko are not members of the Incorporated Trustees of ALGON and could not institute a case on their behalf.

    Iseghihi-Edwards also drew the court’s attention to two existing orders of the court; one for an order directing Okafor, Dikko and Shittu Bamaiyi Yakmut to show cause, and the other for parties to maintain status quo pending the determination.

    He urged the court to hold that the two orders made on October 15 this year subsists, a request the defendants’ lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) opposed, insisting the  preliminary objection raised by his cleints should be determined first.

    The plaintiffs are, by their suit, challenging the “continued flouting” of an earlier judgment in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/33/2014, dated March 28, 2014, where Justice Abdulkafarati dismissed the suit filed  by the defendants in this case, challenging the eligibility of the plaintiffs to be on the board of ALGON.

    Justice Abdulkafarati held, in the judgment attached to the fresh suit as exhibit: “The irresistible conclusion is that the 2nd and 3rd plaintiff (Okafor and Dikko) are not members of the Incorporated Trustees of ALGON and so, they do not have the locus standi to institute this action in their names and institute the action in the name of the 1st plaintiff (Incorporated Trustees).

    “Having come to conclusion, I hold that the 2nd and 3rd plaintiffs have no locus standi to bring this action in their names on behalf of the 1st plaintiff. Secondly, they do not have the locus standi to authorize the institution of this action on behalf of the 1st plaintiff and in its name.

    “On the whole, I hold that this court has no jurisdiction to entertain this suit. This suit is an abuse of court process and same is hereby dismissed.”In the fresh suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/719/2014, the plaintiffs are of the view that the either the Registered Trustees led by Kassim Ibrahim or a duly elected Executive of serving Local government Chairmen, is the only body currently recognised by law to run the affairs of ALGON.

    The case has been adjourned to November 20 next yearfor hearing.

  • NULGE, ALGON to tackle ‘extortion’ in Lagos

    THE Nigerian Union of Local Government Employee (NULGE) and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) have petitioned the Directorate of Security Services (DSS) over “arbitrary” imposition of taxes on the public by a suspected clique believed to be working for the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

    NULGE and ALGON decried the alleged extortion, faking and forgery of government papers by the criminal group.

    The petition, dated September 4 and signed by Vincent Ogbonna on behalf of the two bodies, noted that the activities of the TUC affiliate on Lagos State highways, motor parks, companies and other parts of the country, breached the security of motorists, who resisted the illegal actions.

    The statement said: “These actions and many more, such as reporting some perpetrators to the law enforcement authorities, have yielded some significant results, save for some who are bent on continuing with the illegalities, including the TUC in Lagos, which mandated a faceless group of impostors, called NUSEPN, as its affiliate body.”

    The petitioners said they had begun seminars, symposia and other publications in print and electronic media, in collaboration with another organisation(JMOAN) “in a bid to sensitise the public on the need to curb the activities of the criminals who hide under the cloak of the local government system to extort money from the people via the imposition of stickers”.

  • Ebola: ALGON hails Jonathan for prompt response

    Ebola: ALGON hails Jonathan for prompt response

    The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) hailed President Goodluck Jonthan yesterday for his prompt response to the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Nigeria.

    In a statement by its Secretary General, Alhaji Shittu Bamaiyi, the association noted that Federal Government’s prompt response showed its dedication and concern to save lives.

    The statement reads: “The Federal Government’s efforts at checkmating the killer disease are not only heart-warming but reassuring in protecting the health of Nigerians.

    “This measure is gladdening and a thing of pride that the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the international community have applauded the measures taken by Nigeria in protecting the lives of its citizens against the disease.

    “ALGON suggests that the Federal Government should ensure that the 774 health centres built across the country are immediately put to use to serve as centres for the treatment of such ailments.

    “ALGON hopes that the Federal Government, under the leadership of Goodluck Jonathan, will sustain the spirit with which it is fighting the killer disease and use the same zeal and determination to tackle the country’s numerous challenges.

    “The association implores Nigerians to join hands in tackling issues that threaten our collective interests as a people, irrespective of our political and sectional interests.”

  • ALGON boss advises residents

    The chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Micah Jiba has called on residents not to panic over the reported outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus.

    He rather advised them to keep their environments clean and adhere to sensitisation programmes on how to avoid contracting the virus.

    Jiba, who gave this advice while speaking with reporters on the plans made by chairmen of the area councils’ to curb the spread of the virus in the FCT, said appropriate health authorities have been undergoing through various training and sensitisation programmes in order to tackle the virus. This, he said, include proper washing of hands with soap and water before eating and avoid coming in contact with fluids of any sick person.

    Jiba, who is also the Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), warned residents who eat bats, monkeys, chimpanzees and gorillas to desist from such act because these animals are said to be hosts of the virus, adding that they should avoid meat from such bush animals in order not to get infected by the virus.

    “Also, our health workers should have a high index of suspicion and ensure the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when attending to suspected infected corpses. Safe burial protocols should be followed by relatives of dead people, because health workers and people that touch dead bodies of relatives with their bare hands are more vulnerable to this virus,” he said.

    He further said chairmen of the six area councils in the FCT have met with health workers to ensure that adequate measures are put in place to ensure that the virus does not spread to any of the communities in their respective area councils.

    The meeting with the health workers, he revealed, will be on a frequent basis, advising residents to report any suspected case of Ebola virus to the nearest health- care centre.

    “As government, we will do our best to protect our people. What we need most currently are prayers. We should continue to pray for our country and ensure that professional medical advice that will serve as preventive measures are followed religiously. I sincerely believe that this deadly virus will not get out of hand. It will be contained soonest,” he said.

  • Confab: ALGON rejects recommendation to scrap LGs

    THE Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) has condemned the recommendation of the National Conference to scrap the local government administration from the constitution.

    ALGON described the call by some of the delegates as ‘misguided’.

    The national chairman of ALGON, Ozo Okafor, told newsmen at the end of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja that the conference should have rather suggested ways to strengthen the councils and among others guarantee their independency and tenure of office.

    ALGON NEC also resolved that the Federal Ministry of Health should be more proactive in tackling the deadly Ebola virus and ensure that it does not spread to other states.

    Okafor enjoined ALGON members to go to their various local government areas and carry out sensitisation on the Ebola virus and ways of managing it.

    His words: “We saw some members arguing that the local government as a tier of government should be scrapped because most of the governors were mismanaging the funds meant for them, we also saw some other members rather calling for the strengthening of the councils.

    “We all know the councils are the closest to the people. We all need to collectively fight to ensure that the illegal deductions are stopped and that the tenure of office of four years currently enjoyed at the federal and state levels are also enshrined in the constitution.”

    He also commended the Supreme Court for ruling that the state governments lack constitutional powers to dissolve elected council officials and those states that illegally dissolve the elected officials of the local governments should reinstate them.

    Okafor urged some of the states where the Supreme Court orders have not been obeyed to take legal means and enforce their rights of reinstatement.

    The National Publicity Secretary of the association, Hon. Danladi Etsu Zhin, said that the general assembly of the association will in September elect a new executive to replace the officials sworn in last May after the resolution of the protracted crisis that rocked the association and also to amend the constitution to strengthen the association.

  • Local govt autonomy not negotiable, says ALGON

    The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) has vowed to resist any attempt by the on-going National Conference to scrap the third tier of government.

    It is also insisting on total autonomy for local governments.

    The National Vice President of the association, Alhaji Mohammed Kantigi, told newsmen in Minna that autonomy for local government is non- negotiable.

    Kantigi who is also the Chairman of Edati Local Government of Niger State was reacting to the recommendation of a committee at the confab that  local governments  be scrapped.

    The ALGON leader warned that any attempt  to deny the councils full autonomy would be resisted by people at the grassroots.

    He argued that the third tier of government, being the grass root administration has direct bearing on the people and has helped in transforming the  rural parts of the country.

    Citing Niger State where he is the association Chairman, Kantigi said councils in the state  enjoy  financial autonomy .

    He said because the state governor has taken notice of the    councils as a tier of government he has not tampered  with local government funds  in the name of joint account.

     

  • ALGON rejects calls for emergency rule in Taraba

    The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) on Tuesday rejected calls for a declaration of a state of emergency in Taraba over the recent ethnic clashes in parts of the state.
    The state Chairman of the association, Mr. Kallamu Alhamdu, expressed the views of his members at a press conference in Jalingo.
    Alhamdu commended the Acting Governor of the state, Alhaji Garba Umar, and the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Josia Kente, for adopting steps to end the crises.
    “We are disappointed by the demand of some people to call for a declaration of a state of emergency in Taraba.
    “Such people did not mean well for the state and we shall continue to rise against their divisive tendencies,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the ALGON chairman as saying at the forum.
    Alhamdu said there was hardly any family in Taraba that one would not find Muslims and Christians living together in harmony before the unfortunate crises.
    He appealed to the people of the state to shun violence and embrace peace for rapid development.
    The press conference was attended by the 16 council chairmen in the state.

  • Court strikes out suit against ALGON leadership

    Court strikes out suit against ALGON leadership

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit seeking to sack the leadership of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON).

    Ruling, it upheld the objection filed against the suit by the defendant, Nwanbueze Okafor.

    The judge held that the suit was incompetent and that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain it.

    By the ruling, the Okafor leadership of ALGON is sustained.

    The plaintiff, Umar Kassim Ibrahim, had, by the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/449/2013, sought the removal of Okafor as the National President of ALGON on the grounds that he had ceased to be a local government chairman, contrary to the provisions of the ALGON constitution, which provided for a three-year tenure for its elected officials.

    He equally challenged his removal with others, as members of the ALGON Board of Trustees during the association’s General Assembly on November 29, 2012 at the Nike Lake Resort, Enugu.

    Okafor filed an objection, challenging the suit on the grounds that it was not authorised by the authentic Registered Incorporated Trustees of the Association, the National President or the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of ALGON and that the suit was therefore frivolous, vexatious, mischievous, incompetent and an abuse of judicial process.

     

    He also averred that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit as constituted at present, an argument the court upheld.

    Okafor hailed the court’s decision as a landmark victory for ALGON. He said its leadership was intensifying preparations to ensure the smooth and successful hosting of the association’s forthcoming General Assembly and the conduct of national elections scheduled for Makurdi in Benue State.

    He said the incumbent National Executive Council of ALGON was committed to ending the succession problems, which bedevilled ALGON in the past and until the election of the present National Executive Council had created room for the management of the association by caretaker committees.

    Okafor urged state chairmen of ALGON to sensitise their members on the forthcoming General Assembly and elections.

    “All hands must now be on deck to ensure that we witness a smooth and democratic transition from the present NEC to a new one when we meet in Makurdi. This will be the most important event of my tenure as ALGON President,” he said.

  • 2015: Can Yero weather the storm?

    2015: Can Yero weather the storm?

    Many groups and associations have endorsed Kaduna Governor Mukthar Yero for the 2015 election. TONY AKOWE writes on the scramble for power in the Northwest state.

    The first group to endorse Kaduna State Governor Mukthar Yero for the 2015 election was the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON). At a news conference in Kaduna, the state capital, its chairman, Mr Danjuma Akuso,said that the members were impressed by the performance of the governor.

    Hailing Yero for endowing his office with honour and integrity, he said his leadership style is worthy of emulation. Akuro said that, since the governor succeeded the late Governor Patrick Dakowa in December last year, he has not starved the local government of funds, adding that the council allocations are not deducted.

    Akuso explained the significance of the endorsement. He said that, as grassroots politicians, the chairmen, councillors and administrators of the 46 Development Areas are the gateway to the nooks and crannies, adding that no indigene can become the governor without their support. Akuso also dismissed the division in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a ruse, saying that there is no crack.

    Following the endorsement by the council chairmen, individuals, groups and associations have contributed to the gale of endorsement.

    Yero became governor, following the death of Yakowa in a helicopter crash. Before he passed on, he was warming up for a second term. There was a struggle between Christians and Muslims over political control in the state. Thus, for religious balancing, Muslim governors always pair with Christian deputies and vice versa. Yakowa’s sudden death was painful to the Christians. When Yero succeeded him, he appointed a Christian as his deputy, reminiscent of his appointment by the deceased as deputy, following the elevation of former Governor Namidi Sambo to the Vice Presidency.

    In the PDP, the main issue in Kaduna State is the governorship. It is the first battle of note that Yero will fight. His supporters have kicked off a subtle campaign for continuity. However, the question on the lips of many people is whether Yero, a strong loyalist of Vice President Mohammed Sambo, has what it takes to win the election. Alhough the governor is trying to build political structures at the moment, many believe that he cannot separate himself from his boss, the Vice President, who brought him to political lime light. The ability of Yero to manage the political camps within the PDP will, no doubt, be a litmus test for him. The greatest challenge is whether he can secure the ticket, despite his power of incumbency.

    Yero, according to sources, is interested in keeping his job, although he has kept sealed lip on his ambition.

    The power equation in the state tends to favour power shift to the Kaduna North Senatorial District. But the leadership of the Southern Kaduna Peoples’ Union believes that a politician from the area should succeed Yero because, in its view, Yakowa did not complete his term.

    But sources said that, at the moment, the Southern Kaduna people have not groomed anybody to take over that responsibility. This has energised Yero, who is working underground to garner support. Although there is no love lost between the Vice President, who is Yero’s mentor and political godfather, and the former governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, political watchers believe that Makarfi still has a great role to play in who emerges as the governor, especially on the platform of the PDP. However, since assuming office, Yero has been hobnobbing with Makarfi. He has attended virtually all functions organised by the former governor or his associates. Yero was present at the senator’s country home in Makarfi town, when he gave out poverty alleviation materials to the people. He was also at his 57th birthday dinner in Kaduna. It is believed that such moves are aimed at courting the friendship of the former governor. But whether Makarfi will give him his support is yet to be seen.

    Makarfi and his supporters are believed to be preparing a member of the House of Representatives from Makarfi/Kudan Constituency, Hon. Isa Ashiru, for the job. The former governor has a strong followership within the PDP across the state. He is respected in the Southern Kaduna, where the party often draw majority of its votes during the general elections. The recent birthday dinner organised for the former governor by his political associates is believed to be one of the ways to announce that they are prepared to unseat Yero in 2015. If Yero fails to make it to the Government House in 2015, he may have been a victim of power play between the senator and the Vice President. Although the two men have always said that their relationship is cordial, it is an open secret that they are not the best of friends and they have always worked against one another. Some people have argued that, if Yero wants to continue in the office, he should build a solid structure. Some groups have started to campaign for the governor’s election. One of them is the Kaduna PDP Youth Solidarity Forum. Another one is Yero/Bajoga Advancement Vanguard. Both are led by Southern Kaduna youths.

    The Coordinator of Yero/Bajoga Advancement Vanguard, Mr Mordecai Ibrahim, urged the people to rally round the governor to move the state forward. He said: “We know that power actually belongs to God Almighty and He gives it to whosoever He pleases. He has given it to Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero. We should rally behind him to move our dear state forward. We wish to make the point very clear that, in all the 23 Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, there is no crisis whatsoever within the ranks of our great party, the PDP.

    “We are a strong, united and indivisible political party, enjoying a harmonious relationship. The Peoples’ Democratic Party remains the party to beat in Kaduna State and, come 2015, members in all the three senatorial zones will work hard to deliver in all the elections.”

    The Chairman of the Kaduna PDP Youth Solidarity Forum, Mr Danjuma Seriki, said the youths will support Yero because he represents a generational shift in governance.

    He said: “We are giving Yero total support for the 2015 election and we are calling on all the youths in the state to do same. As a young man, Yero represents a generational shift in governance in the state. He came into office at a time when so many projects were initiated by the Yakowa government and he decided that he must continue with these projects and did not abandon any of them.

    “He has been implementing the budget he inherited religiously; he is accessible to the youths, humble and attends all events organised by the youths. He is focused and determined to meet the yearning of the people of Kaduna State. We will do everything possible to ensure that he emerge as the governor of the state”.

    There are indications that other interest groups may raise more candidates to challenge the governor. Although not much is known about those willing to contest the governorship, speculations are rife that former Secretary to Government Mr Samaila Abdullahi Yakawada is warming up for the contest. Yakawada is a grassroots operator from Giwa local government, Kaduna Central Senatorial District, where the Vice President comes from. But this cannot be immediately confirmed as he has not made any move. His closeness to the Southern Kaduna people could be a plus for him, if he eventually decides to run for the seat. Yakawada contested the seat with the Vice President in 2007, but lost at the first round of ballot. He has not been in the good books of the Kaduna State Government. As the Secretary to Government under Yakowa, he was perceived as the defacto governor, a situation that did not go down well with Yero, who was the deputy governor. He was among the first sets of people to be fired by Yero when he became the governor

    Many issues will shape the 2015 poll. The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has always been a strong opposition to the PDP in the state. The merger of the main opposition parties and the eventual emergence of the All Progressive Congress (APC)will pose serious threat to Yero’s ambition. There are fears in the political circle that those who may be denied the opportunity to contest the governorship election in the PDP may team up with the APC to unseat Yero and the PDP. The CPC, which is part of the APC, has a strong influence in the state, especially in the northern part. Political watchers are of the view that the governorship ticket may be zoned to the southern part of the state. But others argue that doing that will be counter-productive for them as the sentiments that existed during the Yakowa election does not exist any longer.

    A strong southern Kaduna politician said that politicians from the northern part of the state are saying that, if the APC gives a southern Kaduna man its ticket, the northern part will use the same sentiment with which Yakowa came into office to get the required one third from the area to produce the governor.

    Apart from the opposition and the Makarfi group, which Yero may have to contend with, there are other contending forces, whose ambition may not be too clear for now.

    Many believe that Suleiman Hukunyi is still a force to reckon with. His group has a strong link with the Makarfi group. There is also the Idris Mikati group, which has worked in many rural communities in the past. Although Mikati has contested the governorship on two occasions without success, it is not yet known whether he still has the ambition. Mikati had a close working relationship with the late Yakowa.

    There is no gainsaying the fact that the politics of who becomes governor in Kaduna in 2015 will be very interesting. Many are looking forward to the battle to take over Kaduna by the APC. The APC is yet to make its presence felt in the state. But, if it is not resolved on time, the division in the PDP may weaken the platform, ahead of 2015 and create the opportunity for the APC to rule the state.