The Rivers State chapter of the Association of Local Government Areas of Nigeria has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of withholding funds meant for the 23 LGAs in the state.

According to the state ALGON, this action has deprived them of their functions in the administration of the third tier of government.

The LG chairmen have stated that the Governor's action is akin to proscribing local government councils in the state. They have also expressed support for the call by the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Tony Okocha, for the State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the Governor.

The State ALGON Chairman and Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Allwell Ihunda, made these statements at a news briefing in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

Ihunda stated, “It has come to the notice of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Rivers State chapter, that the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has neglected, failed, and deliberately refused to hold the statutory Joint Account Allocation Committee Meeting which is the prerequisite for the release and disbursement of funds due to the local government in the State Joint Local Government Accounts.

“And has continued to withhold the statutory allocations due to the 23 local government councils of Rivers State since April 2024.

“And in the case of Emuoha LGA since March 2024 till date for no just course, thereby starving the third tier of the government of the funds required to discharge its statutory functions in the administration of the local government areas.”