The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, Ebonyi State at the weekend, said it has appealed the Federal High Court judgement, which voided the election that brought them to power.
The chairman of ALGON, Ebonyi State chapter, Mr. Ogodo Ali Nomeh made this known while speaking with newsmen, shortly after a project commissioning by Governor David Umahi
He said it is impossible for anyone to stop the allocation and functions or activities of the government in the state.
Recall that, Justice Riman of the Federal High Court, sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state, had in a judgement delivered recently, voided the election that brought the council chairmen to power, saying it was undemocratic and unlawful.
Justice Riman equally barred the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal commission RMAFC, the Federal ministry of finance, and other commissions from releasing allocations to local government areas in the state.
But, Ogodo Ali, who is the council chairman of Ezza North local government area in Ebonyi State said, “The Federal High Court can say what they want to say, but you know that we were brought into power by law, established by the state House of Assembly, that is in line with the federal government law.
“That law determines the functions and activities of the local governments, and so, we didn’t fly to that office. You are aware that before our election, somebody went to court to stop the election, and another High Court in Izziamgbo authorized the election to hold.
“It was on that premise, that the election which brought us to power was held. You can recall that before this present judgement, the same court had tried to ultra vires the election but another court of coordinate jurisdiction declared the election valid, and that’s why we were sworn in” he stated.
Speaking on the purported warning and directive of the Federal High Court to the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, to stop Ebonyi local government areas allocation, Ogodo said: “Allocation is not given by the Court. And so, it is a constitutional matter.
“It is difficult for anybody to stop the functions and activities of the government in the state, and that of the local government areas. Maybe the person has something at the back of his mind and wants to stop the allocation.
“You know, the people that are doing that, are not even Ebonyians. And so, some people want to deter us from doing our job but we are already in Appeal Court” he stressed.