Councillors in Akwa Ibom State have accused the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), which is made up of council chairmen in the state, of sabotaging grassroots governance through financial mismanagement, intimidation, and the exclusion of legislative arms.
They have insisted that councillors should be allowed to directly implement and supervise constituency projects in their respective wards, as such responsibilities should remain under their purview.
In a communiqué issued after the inaugural general meeting of the Akwa Ibom State Councillors’ Forum in Uyo on Monday, the Forum noted that tensions between chairmen and councillors severely hinder rural development and service delivery in their wards.
“While appreciating the Governor’s commitment to grassroots governance, we express deep concern over the conduct of several Local Government Chairmen across the State.
“It is regrettable that many elected Councillors continue to suffer neglect, intimidation, and exclusion from governance processes despite being constitutionally elected representatives of the people.
“The recent oversight exercise conducted by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs exposed serious administrative shortcomings in several Local Government Councils. These developments undermine the vision of His Excellency for effective grassroots governance.
“Equally disturbing are reports that Councillors demanding accountability have, in some Local Government Areas, been subjected to intimidation, blackmail, and even physical attacks. A case in point is Ini Local Government Area, where individuals allegedly acting on the instructions of the Local Government Chairman physically assaulted Councillors. Such actions erode democratic values and weaken public trust in local governance”
A motion for the adoption of the communiqué was moved by Hon. Owoidoho Enyeama (Asutan Ward 6) of Ibesikpo Asutan LGA and seconded by Hon. Godwin Effiong Nyong, the Deputy Leader of the Udung Uko Legislative Council.
In the communiqué signed by over 200 councillors present at the meeting, the Forum appealed to Governor Eno to direct local government chairmen to cease any form of victimisation against councillors under the pretext of the “ALGON Template,” which they believe has weakened legislative independence and hindered effective representation.
They called on the Governor to intervene by ensuring that Council Chairmen implement the state government’s approved welfare packages, review the Akwa Ibom State Local Government Administration Law, protect legislative independence, improve councillors’ welfare, and provide official vehicles, as enjoyed by their counterparts in the South-South, to enhance their performance.
The councillors maintained that their resolutions were not intended as a confrontation but as a patriotic appeal aimed at strengthening grassroots democracy, promoting accountability, and enhancing effective local government administration in Akwa Ibom State.
Meanwhile, the Forum has passed a unanimous vote of confidence in Governor Umo Eno, commending his tourism hub initiative, infrastructural renaissance, people-oriented leadership, support for local government administration, and his candidacy for re-election as the APC candidate for the 2027 election.
The Forum reaffirmed its support for Senate President Godswill Akpabio and President Bola Tinubu, pledging to mobilise grassroots support for their re-election in 2027.
The councillors adding that they would continue to be the voices of the people, ensuring that those at the grassroots continue to derive the much-desired dividends of democracy at all times.
