The Abia state Government has officially disowned the viral list, which purportedly contains the names of members intended for the yet-to-be-constituted Transition Committee across the 17 local government areas of the state.
Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu who disowned the controversial list while briefing Journalists at Government House Umuahia, on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council Meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti described the rumoured list as “phantom and speculative”.
Prince Kanu note that the Abia state government under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti is yet to make known any list of either transition committee chairmen, their deputies or councilors and urged the public to disregard such list as it did not emanate from the Governor.
He said; “There have been some rumors making the rounds and some lists flying around of phantom appointments of the imagination of people about the position of transition committee chairmen in the state.
“Most of those lists are what they are; speculative”.
Also lending his voice, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu dispelled rumors of the purported list noting that no official list has been released as the Governor is consulting with various stakeholders in the state on the composition of the Transition Committee Members.
Prince Nwachukwu highlighted the legal basis for the Transition Committee’s establishment, stating that it is authorized by state law, empowering the Governor to appoint transition councils until elections are held.
The Commissioner commended Governor Otti’s democratic approach, explaining that stakeholders had provided suggestions for councilors and potential Transition Committee Council chairpersons and Deputies.
He said; ”Talking about the list that has been flying around,the appointment of Transition Committee Councils is at the instance of the governor which I believe it would soon be concluded because he has been making consultations.
“The Governor is a pure breed democrat, in establishing this process, he started with consultations with stakeholders in the local government areas.
“No list have been officially released. At the end of the day, it would be the onus of the governor on who should be local government council Chairman or deputy. Until the official list comes out, you cannot say that any list is official.
“We are aware of the provisions of the law, some of these names may go to the house of Assembly for clearance. It is a process thing and we do not want to jump the gun but the important thing to learn at this point is that no official list have been released but soon the official list would be made”.
Nwachukwu who disclosed that the present adminstration would conduct local government elections at the appropriate time,noted the need to address issues at the local government level and emphasized the importance of stabilizing the local government system, in accordance with the law before the conduct of any elections by the present adminstration.
