Katsina dismisses allegations against gov on new councils
From Olawale Tunde, Katsina
THE controversy over the creation and dissolution of 30 new local councils in Katsina State is still raging in the state.
After the heat generated in the state over its position on the withholding of federal allocation, the allegation of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) against the state governor has been described as falsification of facts to score cheap political points.
Last week the state chapter of ANPP alleged that the creation of the new councils by Governor Umaru Musa Yar'Adua two weeks to the 2003 gubernatorial election as a play to rig the election in his favour.
In a press statement signed by the state acting chairman of ANPP, Alhaji Gide Yaro, the party further criticised the state government for the procedures deployed in dissolving the councils and also on the method of disbursing money from the local council joint account.
Dismissing the allegations, the chairman of Katsina State Independent Solidarity Movement, Alhaji Bala Kuki who is also a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader said the agitation for creation of more councils in the state was moved by all the communities in the state in 2001 after Yar'Adua was elected in 1999.
This agitation according to him, prompted the state government to set up an Advisory Technical Committee on February 21, 2002 with the terms of reference of looking into the request and agitation with advice on how the government should go about it.
Kuki said the committee submitted its report to government in June 2002. In the report, it recommended for the creation of 27 new councils. He said a joint committee of the state executive and legislature was set up by the State Executive Council at its meeting held on September 11, 2002 to study the report and advice government appropriately.
"This joint committee submitted its report to the state government on the creation of 25 new councils. It was after this process according to Kuki that the executive council submitted the proposal for creation of 30 new councils on February 17, 2003 to the state House of Assembly. The state lawmakers were to enact an enabling law in conformity with Section 7 sub-sections 1 and 2 of the 1999 Constitution.
He said a referendum was conducted on the creation of new councils on February 22, 2003 the result of which was forwarded to the state House of Assembly on February 25, 2003. He said the Governor took the right steps in accordance to constitutional provisions.
While exonerating Yar'Adua from abuse of revenue accruing to the state councils, Kuki cautioned members of the ANPP to avoid venturing into issues the party without enough information. He further advised the party to concentrate on resolving its internal crisis.
