Former elected local government chairmen in Ebonyi State, under the umbrella of the National Association of Former Elected Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (NALGON Emeritus), have elected a new state executive while expressing concern over what they described as the continued absence of genuine local government autonomy despite the Supreme Court’s judgment.
The election, held in Abakaliki on Saturday, produced Pharm. Tony Ekoh as the State Chairman.
Other officials elected include Hon. Dunstan Nwogbaga (Deputy State Chairman), Engr. Dr. Jeff Ogbu (State Secretary), Hon. Emmanuel Nwangele (State Treasurer), Hon. Nkama Nkama Ude (Organising Secretary), Barr. Clement Odaa (Legal Adviser), Hon. Chaka Nweze (Auditor), Dr. Obinna Johnson Nwachukwu (Financial Secretary), Hon. Sunday Ogodo (Welfare Officer), Dr. Mrs. Adaeze Nwuzor (Publicity Secretary), Hon. Chidiebere Uzor Agwu (Assistant Secretary), Hon. Humphery Amah (Assistant Financial Secretary), Hon. Moses Onyema Nwekoyo (Assistant Publicity Secretary), Hon. Ikechukwu Ogbu (Assistant Organising Secretary), and Arch. Godwin Nwogbaga (Assistant Welfare Secretary).
The zonal chairmen elected are Hon. Celestine Eze (South), Hon. Dave Onuoha (Central), and Hon. Cyril Obaze (North).
While inaugurating the newly elected executives, the National President of NALGON Emeritus, Shaba Ibrahim, urged members to remain united and actively participate in the affairs of the association.
He explained that the association was established to bring together former elected local government chairmen who had served at the grassroots level and to promote their collective welfare and interests.
According to Ibrahim, serving as a local government chairman is one of the most demanding political offices in Nigeria because of the unique challenges associated with grassroots administration.
“It is easier to succeed as a governor than as a council chairman. Governors can avoid meeting people for years, but council chairmen interact with citizens daily and face enormous expectations,” he said.
He also disclosed that the association is working towards securing benefits and entitlements for former elected council chairmen across the country.
Ibrahim lamented that, despite the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on local government autonomy, councils across Nigeria remain under the control of state governments.
He argued that the continued dependence of local councils on governors contradicts both the Constitution and the spirit of the Supreme Court’s decision.
According to him, meaningful development at the state level cannot be achieved without financially and administratively independent local government councils.
He stressed that NALGON Emeritus would continue advocating for the full implementation of local government autonomy to strengthen governance and grassroots development nationwide.
The NALGON Emeritus President also expressed concern over increasing divisions across Nigeria, revealing that the association has launched a One Nigeria Project aimed at fostering national unity and encouraging dialogue among citizens from different regions.
In his acceptance remarks, the newly elected Ebonyi State Chairman, Pharm. Tony Ekoh, assured members that the new leadership would prioritise the welfare of former elected council chairmen.
He noted that former chairmen often continue to shoulder community expectations even after leaving office and therefore deserve institutional support.
Ekoh said the association would pursue legitimate allowances and other welfare packages that would enable former council chairmen to continue contributing meaningfully to society.
The newly elected State Secretary, Engr. Dr. Jeff Ogbu, described the formation of NALGON Emeritus as a long-awaited development.
He said many former elected council chairmen had, over the years, sought an organised platform that would represent their interests and advocate for their welfare, expressing optimism that the association would achieve those goals.
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