Onjeh challenges Moro’s narrative on Local Government dissolution

Comrade Daniel Onjeh, a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State and the party’s 2023 senatorial candidate for Benue South, has called for a thorough examination of motions and bills presented in the Nigerian Legislature, particularly the Senate. His advice stems from the concern that some legislators might manipulate proposals for personal gain under the guise of advocating national interests.

Onjeh’s remarks come in response to a recent motion titled “Urgent Need to Halt the Erosion of Democracy: The Dissolution of Elected Councils in Benue State,” introduced by Senator Abba Moro. Moro alleged that the APC-led government in Benue State unlawfully dissolved the democratically elected local government system and replaced it with caretaker committees. The Senate unanimously approved Moro’s motion.

However, Onjeh swiftly countered Moro’s claims, asserting that Moro deliberately misled the Senate. According to Onjeh, the local government administrations in Benue State were not arbitrarily dissolved but suspended based on the Benue State House of Assembly’s recommendation. The assembly had reportedly identified a prima facie case of financial impropriety against the local government executives during oversight functions.

In a press statement, Onjeh emphasized that the State Government acted in accordance with the assembly’s resolution to avoid a governance void. He contended that the Senate, by approving Moro’s motion, overstepped its jurisdiction, as the Constitution grants states the authority over local governments.

Onjeh urged the National Assembly to refrain from further deliberations on Moro’s motion, suggesting that Moro’s motives might be driven by personal political interests rather than a genuine concern for local government autonomy. He called for a renewed focus on passing the Local Government Autonomy Bill to genuinely strengthen the local government system.

In this unfolding narrative, Onjeh challenges Moro’s assertions, aiming to set the record straight on the events surrounding the suspension of local government administrations in Benue State.