The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria in Rivers State has appealed for the recall of three suspended council chairmen while declaring support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second term bid in the 2027 presidential election.
The appeal followed the suspension of the Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Victor Ihunwo, who is the current ALGON Chairman in the state, over alleged illegal tax collection. The Chairmen of Abua/Odual, Daniel O. Daniel, and Degema LGA, Tony Philmoore, had previously been suspended for allegedly turning up late for a meeting called by Governor Nyesom Wike over issues of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking on a live radio programme in Port Harcourt, the state Vice Chairman of ALGON and Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, Solomon Eke, alongside Ahoada East Chairman and association Secretary, Ben Eke, and Ahoada West Chairman and state ALGON spokesman, Hope Ikiriko, said the governor did not err in law but pleaded for leniency.
“We are all working with the governor. We are pleading with him to temper justice with mercy on our colleagues. What the governor did is a correctional measure,” Solomon Eke said. He added, “He has given us strong and quality leadership and we don’t intend to disregard him, but to stand with him to ensure that Rivers people get the best”.
At a separate gathering, ALGON members in Rivers State unanimously adopted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as their preferred candidate for the 2027 presidential election. The motion for endorsement was moved by the Chairman of Emuoha LGA, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, and seconded by the Chairman of Khana LGA, Thomas Bariere.
The ALGON Secretary and Chairman of Eleme LGA, Chief Obarilomate Ollor, acknowledged Tinubu’s interventions and appointments, saying they directly benefited Eleme LGA. He named appointees from the council to include Marcus Nle Ejii, Executive Director of Works and Projects at the South South Development Commission, and Fred Mbo Mbo Igwe, appointed as a member of the HYPREP Board.
ALGON members also commended ongoing federal projects such as the reconstruction of the Eleme axis of the East–West Road, the planned dredging and modernisation of Rivers Port, Onne Port, and Calabar Port under the Federal Government’s port modernisation programme, the presidential pardon granted to late Ogoni environmental rights activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and others, and the establishment of the University of Environment.
Leaders of legislative councils also took turns to endorse President Tinubu for the 2027 poll.
