Elders and stakeholders of Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have condemned the suspension of the Executive Chairman of the council, Hon. Mrs. Alice Tangi Allen, describing the development as undemocratic and condemnable.
The development has continued to generate reactions across the council area, particularly as Hon. Tangi Allen is the only female Local Government Council Chairman among the eight Local Government Areas in the state.
Responding on the development, the Bayelsa State Caucus Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Dr. Oyovwi Osusu, described the suspension as unconstitutional, arguing that the Bayelsa State House of Assembly lacks the constitutional locus to suspend the Sagbama Council Chairman.
Dr. Osusu said the House of Assembly was aware of an existing court order restraining the impeachment or removal of Hon. Alice Tangi Allen, but defied the court orders and proceeded to suspend.
He further warned that the newly sworn-in Acting Chairman, who is from Sagbama Constituency 3, could be exposed to legal consequences, including possible imprisonment, arguing that the petition against Hon. Tangi Allen does not have the legal force to warrant her removal or suspension.
Also speaking, Hon. Salo Adikumo, Caucus Chairman NDC Sagbama LGA urged the Bayelsa State Government and the State House of Assembly to uphold the tenets of democracy and respect the rule of law, expressing concern over what he described as threats to democratic principles in the state.
Hon. Adikumo maintained that the purported decision of the State House of Assembly does not stand, insisting that Hon. Alice Tangi Allen remains the duly elected Chairman of Sagbama Local Government Area.
Similarly, Hon. Michael Magbisa and High Chief Victor Okubonanbo described the petitions signed by four councillors against the council chairman as baseless.
They argued that the four councillors do not constitute a majority of the council and therefore cannot, in their view, initiate a valid process to impeach the chairman.
The duo described the development as an attempt to victimize the people of Sagbama Constituency 2, stressing that residents of the local government area are unhappy with the situation.
They also argued that the petitions against the SALGA Council Boss were not subjected to investigations making it clear that her suspension was politically motivated.
They called on relevant authorities to respect the rule of law and ensure that democratic processes are not undermined in the course of resolving the political disagreement.
