LGs scrap: NULGE faults APC panel’s report

The leadership of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has condemned the report of the All Progressive Congress committee on restructuring that recommended abolition of local governments as third tier of government.

The union’s President, Ibrahim made the position National Khaleel of the union known yesterday at a press conference in Abuja.

He said the report was a pre-determined position of some ‘cabals’ in the APC and not the true position of the party.

Khaleel called on the party leadership to dump the report saying, “If we are sincere on the issue of restructuring and devolution of power in Nigeria, power should as a matter of urgency devolve to the grass root local government other than removing power from the federal and local government to the state government.”

He accused some state governors of ganging up to hijack the process at State Houses of Assembly.

“The 8th Assembly had already passed the bill to make local governments more independent based on the aspirations of Nigerians, now the bill had been transmitted to state assemblies waiting for their action, some governors are ganging up again to hijack the process,” Khaleel said.

He urged state governors to allow state assembly members discharge their constitutional mandate without interference and undue influence.

Khaleel also urged state legislators to organize public hearing on bills aimed at strengthening the local government system, as well as stand with the people they represent.