The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, (AIGON), Imo Chapter, has vowed to resist any attempt from the state government to frustrate their re-instatement in office.
The association made this known in a statement issued by the chairmen of the 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and made given to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Owerri.
The ALGON Chairperson, Mrs Ruby Emele, said that since their reinstatement following the directives from the Federal Attorney General the members had met with opposition.
She, however, said that in spite of the opposition most of the chairmen had resumed their legitimate duties and would not give in to moves from any quarters to disrupt their activities.
Emele noted that the ‘antagonism’ suffered by the ALGON chairmen in the councils was uncalled for, saying that they came back to help government deliver dividend of democracy to the people.
“ALGON members have been under serious threat of their life since they resumed office. The antagonism against the elected chairmen is unwarranted. What is necessary is to join hands with government to deliver dividend of democracy to the people.
“We have come to help reduce poverty and unemployment in the land,” she said.
On the appeal filed to the Supreme Court and Motion for Stay of Execution by the state government through the state attorney general and commissioner for justice the group in a statement noted that the appeal did not follow due legal process.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the statement was signed by the 27 LG chairmen.
It explained that an appeal could not be said to have been lodged when the party concerned had not entered into bond and fulfilled the statutory conditions precedent including settlement of records of appeal.
It added that no Order for Stay of Execution of judgment would succeed from what it called ‘inchoate’ appeal as the conditions have not been satisfied by the appellant.
According to it, an intending appellant must pay cost awarded against him else his appeal will be incompetent.
It added that the Court of Appeal awarded N100,000 as cost in favour of the chairmen, which, she added, had not been paid by the respondents.
NAN reports that the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Soronnadi Njoku, had in a statement, faulted the directive by both the Attorney General of the Federation and Inspector General of Police instructing the council chairmen to resume duties following the July 5, court ruling.
He said the order by the IG instructing the state police to aid the instalment of the sacked 27 LG chairmen was contrary to the Rule of Law as the state government had appealed against the Court of Appeal verdict. (NAN)