By Nkechinyere Ewa
Former elected local government council chairmen in Ebonyi State, under the aegis of the National Association of Former Elected Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (NALGON Emeritus), have elected a new state executive to steer the affairs of the association.
The election was held on Saturday in Abakaliki and produced Pharm. Tony Ekoh as the State Chairman.
Other officers elected include Hon. Dunstan Nwogbaga (Deputy State Chairman), Engr. Dr. Jeff Ogbu (State Secretary), Hon. Emmanuel Nwangele (State Treasurer), Hon. Nkama Nkama Ude (State Organising Secretary), Barr. Clement Odaa (State Legal Adviser), Hon. Chaka Nweze (State Auditor), Hon. Celestine Eze (Zonal Chairman, South), Hon. Dave Onuoha (Zonal Chairman, Central), Hon. Cyril Obaze (Zonal Chairman, North), Dr. Obinna Johnson Nwachukwu (State Financial Secretary), Hon. Sunday Ogodo (State 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).
Inaugurating the newly elected executives, the National President of NALGON Emeritus, Shaba Ibrahim, urged them to work in unity and actively participate in the activities of the association to strengthen its operations across the country.
He explained that the association was established to bring together former elected local government chairmen who had the privilege of serving at the grassroots level and to protect their collective interests.
According to him, serving as a local government chairman remains one of the most challenging political offices in the country because of the enormous expectations from the people.
“I have come to the conclusion that it is easier to be a successful governor than a successful local government chairman. If governors choose not to see you, you may never have access to them throughout their tenure, but the same cannot be said of council chairmen because they are directly accessible to the people,” he said.
Ibrahim disclosed that the association was working towards securing benefits and entitlements for former elected council chairmen, expressing optimism that the effort would soon yield positive results.
He, however, lamented what he described as the continued erosion of local government autonomy despite the Supreme Court judgment affirming financial and administrative independence for councils.
“The local government councils have been rendered prostrate. They exist only at the mercy of governors, contrary to the letters and spirit of the Constitution. NALGON has consistently advocated genuine local government autonomy, and although the Supreme Court has pronounced on the matter, the judgment is still being observed in the breach.
“This is unacceptable. Without strong local governments, it is impossible to build a strong state. The cart must perch and the eagle must also perch. Whoever says the other should not perch, let his wings break,” he declared.
The former member of the House of Representatives also expressed concern over growing divisions in the country, revealing that the association had launched a “One Nigeria Project” aimed at promoting national unity and fostering dialogue across ethnic and political divides.
Speaking after his inauguration, the new Ebonyi State Chairman of NALGON Emeritus, Pharm. Tony Ekoh, pledged that the executive would prioritise the welfare of former elected council chairmen.
He noted that former council chairmen often continue to face enormous demands from the communities they once served even after leaving office.
“The expectations from former council chairmen remain very high. If there are allowances or welfare packages for former chairmen, it will help them cope with these responsibilities. That is one of the reasons this association was established,” Ekoh said.
Also speaking, the State Secretary, Engr. Dr. Jeff Ogbu, said former elected council chairmen had long desired an umbrella body that would unite them and champion their welfare.
He described the establishment of NALGON Emeritus in Ebonyi as a significant milestone and expressed confidence that the association would effectively represent the interests of its members.