Niger Delta leader criticizes Ibori over comment on LG autonomy

Reactions have continued to trail the recent Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to the 774 local government (LG) councils in the country, as a prominent Niger Delta leader, Goodnews Abalagha, has disagreed with former Delta State Governor, James Onanefe Ibori for his opposition to the verdict.

Abalagha expressed his disapproval of Ibori’s comments, questioning what the former governor stands to gain by the stifling of local government (LG) councils.

Recall that Ibori had described the apex court ruling as a setback to true federalism, arguing that it contravenes Section 162(3) of the 1999 Constitution. The Federal Government, he stated, has no right to interfere with the administration of LGs under any guise whatsoever.

But speaking to journalists after a stakeholder meeting he convened in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, to discuss the state of the nation, the Niger Delta leader accused the former Delta State Governor of playing the devil’s advocate.

He also accused Ibori of allegedly conspiring with powerful Northern interests to frustrate President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to address Nigeria’s current economic challenges, thereby hindering his potential reelection in 2027.

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According to him, “We, the concerned elders from the Niger Delta, have closely observed the recent actions of former Delta State Governor Chief James Onanefe Ibori, a supposed friend to President Tinubu. We are troubled that Ibori, who has assumed the status of a statesman, is being subtly used to undermine President Tinubu’s leadership of our great nation.

“We all witnessed Ibori’s outburst over the landmark and celebrated Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to the 774 local government councils in the country. In his quest to delegitimize the actions of the highest court in the land, he is, by extension, undermining President Tinubu, who instituted the action in the first place.

“For some time now, Chief Ibori has openly fraternized with powerful Northern political interests who are bent on discrediting all the good works of Mr. President and are tirelessly working to stop his reelection bid in 2027.

“Here is a man who didn’t work for President Tinubu to become President, yet, through the President’s benevolence, Ibori was given two key positions in the NDDC, even he remains a critical stakeholder in the PDP and works closely with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. As if this is not enough, he has assumed the role of the devil’s advocate.”

Reacting through his media aide, Tony Eluemunor, the former governor described the allegation of his alleged fraternity with Northern interests to pull down the Tinubu administration as baseless and unfounded.

He said the former governor was only addressing the Supreme Court judgement on the point of law, devoid of political sentiment.

In a chat with The Guardian on Friday, he said: “I’m replying as Tony Eluemunor not Ibori’s media assistant because he does not deserve Ibori’s reaction.

“No where did Ibori address Tinubu. Ibori talked of constitutional issues and the judgement of the Supreme Court. Ibori addressed the Supreme Court over constitutionalism and constitutionality. And mentioned clearly that the states are the federating units. The 774 local governments are not the federating units.

“If he (Abalagha) does not understand, I will give him advice: he should go back to school. If he went to school before, he failed himself.”