By Correspondent in Minna
The member representing Shiroro Constituency in Niger State House of Assembly (NSHA), Mr Maliki Boss, has declared as illegal, the continued suspension of the Chairman of Shiroro Local Government Area of the state, Alhaji Suleiman Chukuba, saying that the process lacked due process.
The member, who made the position of the house known in an interview with newsmen in Minna, argued that the suspension remained voided.
The legislator also frawned at the failure of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello to constitute a committee to investigate the allegations against the Chairman within seven days of the receipt of such petition in accordance with Section 31 (2) of the local government law as amended, rendered the suspension null and void.
According to him,the Governor had refused to constitute any committee to investigate all allegations against Suleiman Chukuba by the Councillors within seven days of the receipt of the petition.
Bosso said: “In the eyes of the law guiding Niger State Local Government Areas, the petition should be declared null and void. It can no longer stand except another petition is brought against the Shiroro Local Government Chairman”.
“The position of the local government law is very clear on this. The law says …..the Governor shall set up a committee of not more than three persons of integrity within three days of the receipt of the petition to conduct an investigation into such allegations”.
“By the records before us, the petition was submitted to the Governor since 20th of December, 2020 and up till today, the 10th of February, the Governor is yet to set up any committee to verify the allegations on its merits or otherwise.
“There is no way the Chairman can be removed without setting up a fact- finding committee. He is also entitled to defend himself in person or by legal representation. But all these were not followed”.
“As lawmakers, we will not support any act of illegality that could cause possible breakdown of law and order. Suleiman Chukuba remains the authentic Chairman of Shiroro Local Government.Chukuba’s continued suspension amounted to invitation to chaos.”
The Reporters recalls that Chukuba was suspended by the councillors of the local government, citing alleged financial misappropriation against the suspended chairman as their reason.
The online publication reports that the new twist in the Shiroro Local Government imbroglio is coming as members of Coalition of 50 Shiroro Associations also registered displeasure over the stand-off and called for the immediate reinstatement of the embattled Chairman.
Rising from their town hall meeting, the group gave reasons for their reaction to include failure of the councillors of the local government to follow due process while carrying out their suspension order against the chairman, Suleiman Chikuba’
They described alleged financial misappropriation against him as more of political gimmick than real.
The coalition, in a statement signed by representatives of 51 different associations, resolved amongst others that, that Suleiman Chukuba be reinstated as the substantive Chairman of Shiroro local government to avoid the breakdown of law and order.
The group, however,assured of its preparedness to liaise with relevant state government authorities, to see to the fulfillment of other conditions which as contained in their resolution without much delay.
The coalition commended Chukuba’s efforts in checking the activities of bandits in the local government area and expressed readiness to ‘continue to serve as a watchdog on the activities of the local government, especially in promoting peaceful co-existence for development to thrive”.
