The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has expressed its support for President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. ALGON described this move as crucial in preventing the political crisis in the state from escalating into wider unrest.
After an emergency meeting in Abuja on Thursday, ALGON’s Board of Trustees Chairman, Odunayo Ategbero, emphasized that the intervention was timely and in the best interest of the public. He explained that the decision to declare the state of emergency had helped ease tensions in the region.
Ategbero remarked, “As major stakeholders in local government administration, we are concerned about the crisis in Rivers because it directly affects the masses. It’s said that when two elephants fight, the grass suffers. Had the President not acted swiftly, the situation could have worsened, potentially leading to a civil war if the House of Assembly had impeached the governor.”
He further clarified that the state of emergency was not intended to remove elected officials, but rather to create an opportunity for dialogue. “The President has not removed the governor or legislature, only suspended them for six months to allow for conflict resolution.”
Ategbero also provided an update on the ongoing efforts for local government autonomy, specifically the implementation of the Supreme Court’s July 11 judgment, which grants financial autonomy to local governments. Despite facing pressure to delay the implementation, the committee overseeing the process has remained determined.
He added, “The committee has instructed local governments to open accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria to facilitate the direct transfer of funds for essential projects like education.” Ategbero acknowledged that while the process is not yet complete, steady progress is being made.
The ALGON Chairman reiterated that local government autonomy is essential for grassroots development, particularly in areas like security, health, and education. “More than 80% of Nigerians live at the local government level, and it’s our duty to improve their living conditions by ensuring that local governments can implement development projects.”
The continued support for the local government autonomy initiative, according to Ategbero, is critical for fostering change and improving life at the grassroots level.
