Date: 2019-06-18

The Kwara State House of Assembly has recommended the suspension of 16 Local Government council chairmen over alleged embezzlement of N33 billion.

This followed a resolution of the House after it considered a petition written by one Seidu Aliyu and presented at plenary on Monday.

The House leader, Abubakar Olawoyin, tabled the petition, which was unanimously considered after a debate, prompting the lawmakers to recommend the suspension of the local government councils.

According to the petitioner, the council chairmen had mismanaged and misappropriated the said sum received from the Federation Accounts in the last two years.

Subsequently, the House leader called for a thorough investigation of the council chairmen in view of the alleged misconduct.

In his submission, a member representing Ipaye/Malete/Oloru constituency, Babatunde Paku, said the House had been inundated with reports over alleged fraudulent activities in the third tier of government in the last two years.

Similarly, another member from Afon constituency, Abdulwahab Opakunle, urged the House to look into the matter critically since the lawmakers represent the interest of the people.

Also speaking, a member representing Ojomu/Balogun constituency of Offa Local Government Area, Saheed Popoola, said there was a need to properly investigate the alleged financial impropriety against the council authorities, adding that local government chairmen are public officers, and thus accountable to the people.

Salaudeen Ganiyu of Omupo constituency moved a motion for the suspension of the council chairmen pending the outcome of the investigation and was seconded by Awolola Olumide of Isin constituency.

Reading the resolution, the Speaker, Salihu Danladi, urged Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to suspend all the local government chairmen in the state to allow proper investigation of their alleged mismanagement of council funds in the last two years.

He referred the petition to the joint house committees on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Ethics, Privileges and Judiciary, asking the committees to report back in the next two weeks.

Meanwhile, the House has announced the composition of its various standing committees.

The speaker, who made the announcement at the plenary, said the committees would be formally inaugurated in due course.

He challenged the committees to exhibit dedication and commitment while carrying out their assignments.