Rejecting alleged disregard to a pending court case on the association’s leadership tussle, the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Association of Local Governments in Nigeria (ALGON) warned the Chairman of Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos State, Kolade Alabi.
In a press briefing in Abuja, the rejection was communicated by the Chairman of ALGON BoT, Mr Shaban Shuaibu.
Claiming that Mr. Alabi Kolade David, the Chairman of Bariga Development Area had falsely assumed the position of National President of ALGON, Shuaibu alleged that Alabi had been holding meetings with chairmen from five Local Government Councils across the country.
The aim, Shuaibu stated, was to “legitimize” his continued stay in office or to unconstitutionally install another person as a surrogate, as he had previously done.
Pointing out that ALGON is composed of 774 Local Governments in Nigeria, Shuaibu emphasized that Bariga Development Area is not one of the 774 Local Governments, as stipulated in Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 4 of the ALGON Acts.
Amid ongoing court cases following Alabi’s claim to the presidency, Shuaibu declared that any actions taken in the name of ALGON by any party until the court cases are concluded, are invalid.
During this period, the BoT is tasked with overseeing ALGON affairs and responsibilities, with provisions within the ALGON constitution for the board of trustees to conduct prompt leadership elections.
Legal actions have been initiated at a Federal High Court in Abuja to address the situation, with a judgment pending. As the registered trustees of ALGON, Shuaibu assured that they will uphold their constitutional duties until the court makes a decision.
Calling for the intervention of security agencies, Shuaibu urged the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, and others to intervene and restrain Alabi.
The suit, under reference FHC/ABJ/CS/1609/2023, currently before Justice Inyang Ekwo, is scheduled for judgment on April 30.