By Our correspondent
Embattled Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Tony Collins Nwabunne has been asked to stay away from creating problems in the once peaceful Nimo Community of Anambra State by supporting a group disobeying the orders of a court.
This call was made by a group known as Nimo Citizens for Good Governance at the conclusion of their last meeting during which they discussed among other things the ongoing issues with Nimo Town Development Union Government.
In December 2023, the group recalled, Commissioner Nwabunwanne set aside the Constitution of Nimo Town and the constitutionally appointed Electoral Body and conducted what they called a kangaroo election for Nimo, despite warnings that he neither had the rights nor the powers to overrule the Constitution for the purpose of installing those the group described as his friends as Town Union officers.
The group, speaking through its spokesperson, Mr Eziafa Ajagu, further observed that, ‘Despite a court judgement sacking the de-facto Town Union Government installed by Mr Nwabunwanne, he had continued to use his office to support their illegal administration, advising them not to obey the court order.
‘He was recently reported to have told members of the constitutionally set up Caretaker Committee to share administrative powers with the defunct de-facto Nimo Town Union officers.’
The group also alleged that the Commissioner’s move as a government official was self-serving and fueled by a promise of political support.
‘It is also alleged that the Commissioner may be benefitting financially from the process of illegal sand mining close to N1b over a period of 13 months by the sacked Zelunjo NTDU excos. That may explain why he is hell bent on supporting a court sacked group of officers.
‘All we are saying is that Mr. Tony Collins, who happens to be an in-law of Nimo, needs to stay away from meddling with the Constitution of Nimo for personal and political benefits. He should also withdraw their certificate and instruct the sacked officers to obey the court judgement.
‘Nimo people are asking the Governor to warn his Commissioner to desist from the deceitful acts that are responsible for the ongoing crises he has plunged Nimo into.’
The Commissioner had earlier said he was only interested in ensuring that he did not run foul of the law by taking precipitate action when an appeal had been lodged by the defeated party in court, assuring that it was only after the last judgement that he would be in a position to take a stand.
