Wada Sacks 15 Council Chairmen For Defecting To APC

BEVERLY HILLS, November 24, (THEWILL) – Governor Idris Wada of Kogi Tuesday removed 15 chairmen of local governments from office for defecting to the rival All Progressives Congress (APC).

A statement in Lokoja by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. James Adedoyin, announced their sack.

The statement cited section 20 sub section (1) and section 36 sub section 1 (d) of Kogi State Local Government Law 2000 as amended to back the action.

It explained that the sacked chairmen could no longer remain in office having decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that sponsored them.

Some of the affected council chairmen include that of Lokoja, Ogori-Magongo, Idah, Adavi, Ankpa, Okehi, Bassa, Yagba East, Yagba West and Okene among others.

They defected to the APC during the grand finale of its governorship campaign held in Lokoja on Nov. 18.

The statement warned the sacked council chairmen to stay away from offices, directing the vice chairmen or the council leaders to take over the affairs of the affected councils as may be appropriate.

The governor said the handing and taking over should be completed by Wednesday Nov. 25, the statement said.

One of the grounds for their defection was the refusal of Wada to implement a decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Oct 29 that nullified the removal of the elected chairmen from office.

They were removed from office based on the order of a Kogi State High Court sitting in Koton Karfe which ruled that the election of May 4, 2013, which brought them into office, was faulty.

Relying on the judgment, Kogi State Government asked the chairmen and councillors to vacate office but the affected officials approached the Appeal Court which set aside the ruling and declared that they resume immediately.

Kogi state government however refused to give effect to the ruling until Nov. 23.