Yola North crisis: Drama as vice chairman announces dissolution of council
The crisis in Yola North Local Government Council has taken a new dimension as the council chairman Mahmud Abba is facing a supremacy battle with his deputy, George Raphael who is believed to enjoy backing of people in high places.
The chairman had resumed office last two weeks from a three-month suspension slammed on him by Governor Muhammad Jibrilla on recommendation of the state House of Assembly after some of his councilors accused him of mismanagement.
Abba’s deputy who had served as acting chairman has refused to surrender power since Abba returned, instead he announced cabinet dissolution.
Addressing the press over the weekend, the Special Advisor to the Chairman, Sa’adu Halidu who led five supervisory councilors, said the affected executives would take legal action against state government officials who he accused of stoking the crisis as the vice chairman lacked constitutional powers to sack them from office.
When contacted, George Raphael said since the chairman had challenged his suspension in court, he could not resume office until the court decided the case.
He added that the chairman was also privy to the dissolution as it formed part of terms of reconciliation with Governor Jibrilla and some top government officials who were not consulted in appointments made by the chairman.
But Mahmudu Abba denied being privy to the decision or reaching any terms with the governor, challenging his deputy to present a document to support his claim.
The embattled supervisory councilors who attended the press briefing were Musa Muhammed, Muhammad Dikko, Muhammad. Goni, Yakubu Ahmad and Sani Muhammad.