Former Deputy Chairmen of Local Government Areas in Anambra State have threatened to draw back their support for the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano’s re-election bid.
They have ordered the governor to not count on their votes if their deficits totalling about N80 million are not refunded before the November 18 governorship election in the state.
The chiefs, under the aegis of Deputy Chairmen’s Forum, alleged that former local government chairmen and councillors who served with them had long been paid such entitlements.
“We are 20 in number across Anambra north, central and south senatorial districts of the state; and we have siblings, children, parents, friends and well wishers,” the forum leaders, Messrs Chuks Obiwelozo and Emmanuel Enwerem said.
“We want the governor to know what is going on; we are suffering and this is adversely affecting our families.
“And we want him to know that this is election period. We can’t go into that election in empty stomachs.
“The governor is a good person, but some of his aides are blocking us from seeing him and lodging our complaints. There’s communication gap and we are not happy about it,” they said.
“Our protest is not against the governor, but it’s clear and natural that hungry people cannot be expected to participate effectively in any electoral process. We want the governor to hear this and pay us so that we can be part of the electioneering.” the forum said.
The Chairman of Local Government/State Joint Account Committee, Mr Tony Olih, said the state government does not owe the former council chiefs.
“What you people should consider is whether the contents of the appointment letters were fulfilled or not. Their appointment letters were clear and they accepted them, so why return now after they had served out their tenures to complain?” Olih said.
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