A former chairman of Obingwa local government area of Abia State, Hon. Ibe Michael Nwoke, has dismissed a group called South-East Local Government Forum as an illegal and self-serving group that does not represent the voice or interests of former local government chairmen in the region.
Nwoke, who is also a former State chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), made the remarks due to the recent political gatherings and public statements by individuals claiming to speak on behalf of former local government leaders in the South-East, stating categorically that such forums lacked legitimacy and credibility.
According to him, “There is no recognised or constitutionally backed forum representing former local government chairmen in the South-East. What we’re seeing is a group of individuals using the name of the region to seek political favour and personal gain.”
He condemned attempts by the group to portray a false image of consensus or regional alignment, describing such moves as deceptive and harmful to genuine democratic representation.
“No one appointed them to speak for us. Their statements do not reflect the pain, the hardship, or the concerns of the people they claim to represent. These are political actors staging a performance, not leaders advancing the public good,” added Nwoke.
Also, the former Abia State ALGON chairman advocated that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, to concentrate on governance and the needs of the South-East instead of backing such activities.
The former Obingwa local government council boss called out the practice of using minor political endorsements to distract from the deeper issues of insecurity, economic hardship, and neglect that have plagued the South-East and the nation.
“We cannot allow shallow pageantry and illegitimate groups to distract us from the real issues. Our youths are frustrated, our farmers are afraid, and our communities are under threat. These are the realities, not the narratives some are trying to sell,” he added.
“It is unfortunate that political gladiators are using the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, to cash out while politicising Federal government support programmes and initiatives, wants to call on those involved to stop forthwith.”
Similarly, Nwoke urged the media and civil society to be vigilant and discerning, and not to amplify the voices of groups with no mandate or moral authority.
“This so-called forum should not be taken seriously. It is nothing more than a mouthpiece for political convenience. We must redirect our focus to real leadership, people-centred policies, and the restoration of hope for our region,” he stated.
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