By Francis Ogwo
The National Executive of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has raised an urgent alarm to the Inspector-General of Police, the Directorate of State Services (DSS) and the general public over what it calls an unlawful and brazen invasion of its national headquarters premises in Abuja by armed men and some impostors who allegedly burglarized its offices and traumatised its staff.
In seperate letters adressed to the Director of State Security Services, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Command Intelligent and Investigative Department, Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, and Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, which was signed by the Secretary General of ALGON, Mrs Binta Adamu, the group, which is the apex body of Local Government and Area Councils in Nigeria, had alleged ‘Criminal Trespass, Breaking and Entry, Criminal Intimidation and Impersonation.’
The letter dated 28th July, 2020 stated that there was an unannounced invasion of the Secretariat by a crowd sponsored by a faction of the Association. The statement read:
“ALGON Secretariat at No 10 Zambezi Crescent, FCT Abuja was besieged for about four hours in the afternoon of today, 28th of July, 2020 by a horde of men claiming to have come to take over the leadership of ALGON and possession of ALGON Secretariat.
“Although they were accompanied by policemen, they did not produce any court order or reveal any warrant of possession or indeed show any reasonable cause for their actions.
“They prevented ALGON staff from leaving the Secretariat and moved forcefully within the building, loudly banging on doors,” the statement added.
It was further revealed by the Association that staff at the Secretariat were compelled by the invaders to identify the office suite of the National President, Hon.Alabi David, which was however under lock and key.
According to them, all pleas where ignored by the irate mob who went further to force open the door, gaining entrance into the National President’s office. This allegation was however backed up by pictures taken during the ensuing melee.
The release further stated that the crowd was purportedly led by one Honourable Abdullahi Maje “who claimed to be Chairman of Suleja Local Government.
“He introduced himself as Interim National President of ALGON alongside another Honourable Ropo Emmanuel as Interim Deputy President,” the statement added.
This action by the group according to ALGON was unconstitutional, as the tenure of the current National President had not elapsed while arguing that:
“The Constitution of ALGON specifies conditions and procedures for elections and change of leadership.”
It was reported that the individuals declared to ALGON staff that they would return tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th of July by 1pm to address the entire staff.
On this development, ALGON requested that the DSS and IGP wade into the matter to forestall a breakdown of law by stationing personnel at the Secretariat on the 6th floor.
ALGON in the statement went further to state that the association’s leadership has Honourable Alabi Kolawole David as the National President and Honourable Odunayo as Chairman Board of Trustees who have been at the helm of affairs since March, 2019.
KaftanPost Investigations also revealed that the policemen who led the mob were found to be attached to the National Assembly Complex and were on illegal duty with the invaders.
Recall that crisis had filtered into the running of ALGON at the national level from what could be regarded as series of state crises.
One of them was the sack of the Chairmen elected under former Governor Abiola Ajimobi, less than twenty-four hours after Governor Makinde’s swearing-in on May 29, 2019 as the incumbent.
KaftanPost investigations is still on and will update you as events unfold.
