The 27 Local Government Chairmen In Imo State sacked by Governor Rochas
Okorocha on June 8th, 2012, yesterday, January 3rd, 2013
embarked on a peaceful protest in Owerri,
Imo State capital
The Chairmen restated that they remain the legitimate and duly elected
Chairmen of the Local Government Councils in the State. The Chairmen and the 306 Councillors, who
went round the streets and major roads in Owerri, said they are furious over
comments credited to the State Governor; Owelle Rochas Okorocha who in a radio
broadcast described them as criminals whose tenure has expired.
Some of the placards
carried by the Chairmen has the inscription ‘ ‘Owelle We Are Not Criminals’
The protest led by Secretary of the Imo State chapter of Association of Local Government
Chairmen (ALGON), Barr Enyinnaya Onuegbu demanded an unreserved apology from the
Imo State Governor for labeling the Council Chairmen and Councillors who were
duly elected as criminals.
It will be recalled that Okorocha and the Council Chairmen mainly of the opposition
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State have been entangled in a legal
tussle.
Okorocha is of the All
Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
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| GOV OKOROCHA OF IMO STATE |
An Owerri High Court presided by Chief Justice of Imo State, Justice B.U Njemanze
had ruled that the Governor has the right to sack the Council Chairmen. The
verdict was overruled by an Owerri Federal High Court which reinstated the
Chairmen on the basis that the Governor has no legal and constitutional authority to sack elected
Local Government Chairmen.
Based on the Court Ruling, the Chairmen returned to their various seats
in the Councils, but in a swift move to frustrate their functions, top Local
Government officials such as the Director of Administration and General
Services (DAGS), the treasurer were recalled by the State Government from the Councils.
Not done yet, some of the Council Chairmen were attacked by aides of the Governor
who led some thugs to invade the Local Government Councils.
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