21/10/2024
Press Release
GOVERNOR ALEX OTTI'S GOVERNMENT MUST RESIST THE ATTEMPT TO UNDERMINE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY IN THE INTEREST OF ABIANS.
The Ngwa Rangers strongly condemn Governor Alex Otti's attempt to undermine the autonomy of Local Governments in Abia State through his proposed executive bill. The bill, pretentiously aimed at creating an independent agency to oversee road contracts in all the 17 Local Government Areas with a view to circumventing the recent Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to the councils, clearly violates this recent well appreciated judgment guaranteeing local governments financial autonomy.
Our fear is not unfounded as Otti's administration has a history of broken promises, having allegedly secured, a princely sum of 45 billion naira as loan from Union Bank using the JAAC account, thus undermining the autonomy of Local Governments and serving his selfish interest at the expense of Abians. Furthermore, Otti amended Local Government laws to tighten his grip on power at the Local Government level, contradicting his campaign assurances to allow Local Governments to operate independently and not work with Transition Committee Chairmen.All these anti-develoment policies of the present administration are going on, in the face of well meaning disposition of the Federal Government to devolve fiscal power to the 3rd tier of government to bring about the much needed development to rural areas which will without doubt improve the living conditions of the poor rural dwellers.
Otti's actions not only demonstrate his disregard for democratic principles and the welfare of Abians but also is a direct confrontation to this noble policy of the Federal government intended to bring about the improvement of the welfare of citizens.
Consequently, he is undermining the education sector reforms and the stimulation of the much needed micro- economic activities in utter disregard of his campaign promises and his inability to upgrade and pay the new minimum wage of N70,000 which most states have started paying.
Additionally, Otti's decision to preach democracy at Harvard while undermining democratic principles in Abia State and also while lacking such democratic credentials is alarming, and nothing short of executive hypocrisy .
We therefore urge the Abia State House of Assembly who have been more or less a lame duck rubber stamp assembly to reject this anti-people's bill.
We will hold Governor Otti, the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa and the entire members of the present assembly accountable for any actions that will compromise the financial autonomy of Local Governments and the breakdown of law and order this may lead to.
The Ngwa Rangers will stop at nothing to prevent this bill from becoming law by seeking legal actions and organizing peaceful protests. Any Local Government Chairman who signs off on transferring Local Government funds to the state government under any guise will face exposure and prosecution by anti-graft agencies. We will monitor the situation closely and ensure transparency in Local Government fund management.
We will also identify those legislators that will refuse to be on the side of the common people of Abia with a view to mobilising the people against them to frustrate their re-election.
The people of Abia will no longer tolerate actions that undermine their rights and interest, especially from Alex Otti who is known for his recklessness with public funds. We stand firm in our resolve to protect the autonomy of our Local Governments.
Meanwhile, Alex Otti's inability so far to account for projects executed using the billions received by the 17 Local Government Areas as statutory allocation in the past 15 months really calls for concern. He should keep off or have us to contend with.
We call on all well-meaning Abians, civil society organizations, and stakeholders to join us in resisting this attempt to undermine Local Government autonomy.
Enough is Enough!
Signed:
Kingsley Ihesiaba
Publicity Secretary,
Ngwa Rangers
