Youth in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State, under the banner of PDP Elite Youth, on Friday, opposed the directive by the state lawmaker representing the Bali (I) constituency, instructing the local government council chairman to remove the council cashier.
According to Nigerian Tribune, the lawmaker in question, Mrs. Veronica Alhassan, has admitted to issuing the order for the removal of the council cashier, Mr. David Dinishiya, and replacing him with her younger sister, Mrs. Afiniki Nyishi.
Meanwhile, group leader Hon. Ismailia Umaru called on Governor Agbu Kefas to intervene and urge the assembly member to reconsider her actions to prevent a disruption of the PDP in Bali Local Government.
Umaru, speaking to journalists, described the assembly member’s action as nepotism and an unjust assertion of political dominance.
“We appeal to Governor Agbu Kefas to intervene and ask the member of the Taraba State House of Assembly representing Bali (I) constituency to redirect her steps before she causes a crisis within the PDP in Bali. Her actions are becoming unbearable,” Umaru said.
“During the last congresses, Hon. Mrs. Alhassan unilaterally selected ward and local government delegates without consulting other party stakeholders. Now, she has instructed the local government chairman to remove the cashier and replace him with her biological sister, without due process.
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“We made numerous efforts to make her understand the consequences of her decision and withdraw her order against the cashier, but she ignored us. The cashier is a key ally of PDP in Bali, and removing him without due process sends a message to the youths of Bali to leave the party.
“We made her the lawmaker she is today. She was initially rejected by the people, but we worked tirelessly to ensure her success. Now, she has ordered the removal of someone we helped place in power,” Umaru added.
“We are calling on His Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas, and the State Working Committee of the party to intervene before Hon. Veronica Alhassan causes irreparable damage to the PDP in Bali. Removing the cashier would be disastrous for the party in the local government,” the group leader warned.
When contacted, Hon. Mrs. Veronica Alhassan, the Bali (I) State Assembly representative, confirmed the development.
“Yes, I asked the council chairman to remove him. He is my boy. I am the one who put him there, so what’s wrong if I ask the chairman to remove him for my younger sister?” Alhassan said.
“I want him removed because he has been eating people’s salaries. People have been complaining about him for the past 10 months, and I want him out. I put the young man in that position, so I can remove him anytime I want. There’s nothing wrong with that. My sister is a married woman, has her own life, and is qualified for any position.
“I have the right to remove anyone from any position to replace them with her. There’s nothing wrong with that,” the assembly member defended.
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