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– – – As Councillors ‘Plan Defection To APC’
Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Council in Rivers State, Chief Odieari Princewill has been accused of allegedly shortchanging councillors representing the wards in the LGA.
A sociopolitical organization, Niger Delta Action Network (NDAN), made this known to this medium, after “carrying out an independent assessment of the council.”
NDAN, which is saddled with the responsibility of assessing and evaluating the performances of local councils across the South-South geopolitical zone, rated ASALGA low in terms of service delivery and “gross disrespect” to the legislative assembly of the council.
The NGO frowned at the council’s boss alleged “incessant harassment of councillors for rising to challenge some of his unpleasant decisions, especially disbursement of funds,” noting that the ASALGA helmsman runs the council as his personal estate and that security and medical allowances, which is a constitutional right, are denied the councillors.
The group also lambasted Chief Princewill for failing to pay stipulated salaries to the councillors, pointing out that other councils in the state pay their councillors about three hundred and fifteen thousand Naira (315,000) monthly, while the ASALGA councillors receive two hundred and sixty-eight thousand Naira (268,000) per month.
NDAN described the actions of the chairman as sad and wicked at a time Governor Nyesom Wike is seeking second term in office, stressing that the atmosphere for the governor will be bleak if Chief Princewill continues with his style of governance.
They expressed shock that the chairman is yet to disburse funds for seminars and workshops for the councillors to broaden their horizon when other council chairmen have long before now organized such for their councils.
Meanwhile, about seven councillors in ASALGA have perfected plan to dump the PDP and shift to the All Progressives Congress (APC) because they are not comfortable with the way and manners Chief Odieari Princewill is running affairs, added to “the fact that he has not transformed the New Rivers Vision agenda of Governor Wike in the LGA.” They cited many irregularities, such as alleged denial of benefits due the councillors, adding that the councillors have great respect for Governor Wike, talks have reached an advanced stage with leaders of the APC for possible defection.
Our reporter could not reach Chief Princewill for a response. But a source close to the council debunked the allegations.
