Shiroro associations, House member oppose suspension of council chair, seek reinstatement

A coalition of associations in the embattled Shiroro Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State, and a member of the Niger State House of Assembly have kicked against the continued suspension of the Council Chairman, Mallam Suleman Chukuba, by the legislative arm of the council, insisting it was illegal because due process was not followed.

They want him reinstated to his position to avoid chaos.

Also, the failure of the State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, to constitute a committee to investigate allegations of financial impropriety leveled against the suspended 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.

Shiroro LGA has been at the receiving end of attacks by bandits.

The coalition of associations are maintaining that the travails of Chukuba are politically motivated, but they did not give details.

In Minna, Honourable Malik Bosso representing Bosso State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, told journalists: “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.

“The petition was submitted to the Governor since on the 20th of December 2020 and up till today 10th February, the Governor is yet to set up any committee.

“There is no way the Chairman can be removed without setting up this committee. He is also entitled to defend himself in person or by legal representation, and all these were not followed.”

He therefore said the suspension was null and void and of no effect adding that himself and other lawmakers would not support the illegality.

“He remains the authentic Chairman of the council”, he declared

After a town hall meeting, the coalition of associations from the 15 wards of the LGA declared that the suspension of the Chairman can not stand “because the councillors failed to follow the due process while carrying their action.

In their resolution after the meeting which was signed by representatives of the 51 different Associations, they resolved that “it is our well-considered resolution that Hon. Suleiman Chukuba be reinstated as the substantive Chairman of Shiroro local government to avoid the breakdown of law and order”.

The associations, in a resolution, commended the suspended Chairman for his efforts in tackling the security challenges in the area due to activities of armed bandits.