Former elected council chairmen in Ebonyi under the aegis of National Association of Former Elected Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (NALGON EMERITUS), have elected their leaders in the state.

The election of the leaders of the forner council chairmen took place in Abakaliki on Saturday.

Those elected include; Pharm. Tony Ekoh , State Chairman, Hon. Dunstan Nwogbaga Deputy State Chairman, Engr. Dr. Jeff Ogbu State Secretary, Hon. Emmanuel Nwangele State Treasurer,

Hon. Nkama Nkama Ude State Organizing Secretary, Barr. Clement Odaa – State Legal Adviser, Hon. Chaka Nweze State Auditor, Hon. Celestine Eze zonal Chairman South and VHon. Dave Onuoha Zonal Chairman Central.

Others are ; Hon. Cyril Obaze Zonal Chairman North, Dr. Obinna Johnson Nwachukwu State Financial Secretary, Hon. Sunday Ogodo State Welfare Officer, Dr. Mrs.Adaeze Nwuzor Publicity Secretary , Hon. Chidiebere Uzor Agwu Assistant Secretary, Hon. Humphery Amah Assistant Financial Secretary, Hon. Moses Onyema Nwekoyo, Assistant Publicity Secretary, Hon. Ikechukwu Ogbu Assistant Organizing Secretary and Arch. Godwin Nwogbaga – Assistant Welfare Secretary.

Inaugurating the leaders after their election, the National President of NALGON EMERITUS, Shaba Ibrahim urged them to feel free to participate in the activities of the association.

He also urged them to work in unity and esure that the association remains very strong and united.

He pointed out that one the cardinal objectives for the establishment of the association, is to be able to bring together those who have had the benefit of representing the people at the grassroots.

He described the local government council as the most difficult stratas of government with all manner of challenges confronted by the chairmen.

“I have come to conclude that it is easier to be successful governor than to be successful council chairmen. If governors don’t want to see you, you stand no chance of seeing them throughout their eight years. The same cannot be said of council chairmen”, Ibrahim said

He disclosed that plans are underway to ensure that former elected chairmen get their benefits and expressed the hope that it will come to reality.

The National President lamented that the local government councils are not autonomous despite the supreme court ruling on the the local government autonomy which he described as unacceptable.

“The local government councils have been rendered prostrate. They exist only at the mercy of governors contrary to the letters and intendment of the constitution.and that is why NALGON has been pushing for autonomy at the local government councils which the apex court has had course to pronounce upon but is being obeyed in the bridge, again at the mercy of governors.

“This to us is unacceptable. What is sauce for the goose, must be sauce for the gander. Without the local councils, you are unable to build the state successfully.

“The cart must perch and the eagle must also perch. He who say no to the order, let his wing break.we are going to esure that we break that wing if we come together”, he stated.

Ibrahim, a former House of Representatives member also lamented the disunity in the country and revealed that the association has declared one-Nigeria project to be able to talk across all divide and reunite Nigerians.

The new Chairman of the association in the state, Pham. Tony Ekoh assaured that the new executives of the association will champion welfare of those who have been in office as council chairmen.

“The expectorants are normally high on those who have been council chairmen. You leave office and subsequently, there are expectations from you by those you served

“So, if there is revenue or income or allowances for the forner chairmen, it will help them at least to flow with the system. This is one of the reasons the body was created “, he said.

On his part, new Secretary of the association, Jeff Ogbu said over time very many former elected council chairmen have been clamouring for umbrella body will champion their welfare.over time and expressed happiness on the establishment of the association