Local Government Autonomy: Niger Delta Leader Criticizes Ibori for Playing ‘Devil’s Advocate’

A prominent Niger Delta leader, High Chief Goodnews Abalagha, has criticized former Delta State Governor Chief James Onanefe Ibori for his strong opposition to the Supreme Court's judgment granting financial autonomy to the 774 local government councils in the country.

Chief Abalagha expressed his disapproval of Ibori’s comments, questioning what the former governor stands to gain by continuing to stifle the local government councils, which are the third tier of government, rendering them ineffective.

It should be recalled that following the Supreme Court's judgment granting financial autonomy to these councils, Chief James Onanefe Ibori criticized the decision. He described the ruling as an assault and a setback to true federalism, arguing that it contravenes Section 162(3) of the 1999 Constitution and opens the floodgates for anti-Tinubu interests to exploit.

Reacting to the allegations, the former governor’s media aide, Tony Eluemunor, described the alleged fraternity to pull down the Tinubu administration as baseless.

He said the former governor was only addressing the Supreme Court judgement on the point of law, devoid of political sentiment.

Clarifying, he said he was, however, replying as Tony Eluemunor, not Ibori’s media assistant because the allegation “did not deserve Ibori’s reaction”.

Chief Abalagha, speaking to journalists after a stakeholder meeting he convened in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Wednesday to discuss the state of the nation, accused Chief Ibori of playing the devil’s advocate. Abalagha suggested that Ibori and his associates will no longer be able to exploit local government funds to service their inflated egos at the expense of the average Nigerian.

He also accused the former Delta governor of allegedly conspiring with powerful Northern interests to frustrate President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to address Nigeria's current economic challenges, thereby hindering his potential reelection in 2027. This is despite the fact that Chief Ibori has significantly benefited from the current Tinubu-led APC government.

According to Chief Abalagha, "We, the concerned elders from the Niger Delta, have closely observed the recent actions of former Delta State Governor Chief James Onanefe Ibori, a supposed friend to President Tinubu. We are troubled that Ibori, who has assumed the status of a statesman, is being subtly used to undermine President Tinubu's leadership of our great nation.

"We all witnessed Chief Ibori’s outburst over the landmark and celebrated Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to the 774 local government councils in the country. In his quest to delegitimize the actions of the highest court in the land, he is, by extension, undermining President Tinubu, who instituted the action in the first place.

"For some time now, Chief Ibori has openly fraternized with powerful Northern political interests who are bent on discrediting all the good works of Mr. President and are tirelessly working to stop his reelection bid in 2027.

"Here is a man who didn’t work for President Tinubu to become President, yet, through the President's benevolence, Ibori was given two key positions in the NDDC, even he remains a critical stakeholder in the PDP and works closely with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. As if this is not enough, he has assumed the role of the devil’s advocate."

Chief Abalagha called on those managing Mr. President to be vigilant of those they consider friends of Mr. President. He also warned that they will continue to expose Chief Ibori and others who wish to continue exploiting the resources meant for local councils. "If not, what does Ibori stand to gain from the corruption in the State Joint Account with the local government? Why the outburst? Clearly, his emotions betrayed him," he added.

“Nowhere did Ibori address Tinubu. Ibori talked of constitutional issues and the judgement of the Supreme Court. Ibori addressed the Supreme Court over constitutionalism and constitutionality. And mentioned clearly that the states are the federating units. The 774 local governments are not the federating units.”

https://dailytrust.com/lg-autonomy-niger-delta-leader-rejects-iboris-position/

Nigeria delta and their problems ...

mncomms77:
Nigeria delta and their problems ...

This is not necessarily a Niger Delta problem, a policy the entire country is celebrating an elder statesman is critiquing

LGA autonomy, Peter OBI is yet to commend FG and the supreme court . Obi used caretaker chairmen to defraud anambra state as governor

yarimo:
LGA autonomy, Peter OBI is yet to commend FG and the supreme court . Obi used caretaker chairmen to defraud anambra state as governor

That one does not comment on anything good about Nigeria or government.