Benue ALGON bypasses Vice Chairman Ejeh, picks Shaku despite constitution

Controversy has erupted over the emergence of the Executive Chairman of Katsina-Ala Local Government Council, Dr Justine Shaku, as Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Benue State chapter, following the resignation of the former chairman, Rt. Hon. Vitalis Terhile Neji.

Neji, the Executive Chairman of Kwande Local Government Council, stepped down from the leadership of the association, creating a vacancy in the office of chairman.

However, rather than the Vice Chairman of Benue ALGON and Executive Chairman of Agatu Local Government Council, Hon. James Melvin Ejeh, succeeding him, Shaku was picked as the new chairman.

The development has raised questions over its conformity with the ALGON Constitution, which reportedly provides a clear succession procedure where the office of chairman becomes vacant.

Section 11.2.1 of the ALGON Constitution provides that in the event of the death, incapacitation or resignation of the chairman, the vice chairman shall take over the leadership of the association.

The constitution further provides that decisions taken outside the prescribed constitutional procedure are “null and void.”

By virtue of his position as Vice Chairman of Benue ALGON, Ejeh would ordinarily be expected to succeed Neji following his resignation, subject to the applicable provisions of the association’s constitution.

Instead, Shaku, who chairs Katsina-Ala LGA, emerged as the replacement.

The development has consequently triggered questions over the procedure adopted in selecting the new chairman and why Ejeh was bypassed despite occupying the association’s number two position.

It has also introduced a representational dimension to the controversy. Ejeh, chairman of Agatu LGA, is from the Idoma-speaking Benue South Senatorial District, while both Neji, the outgoing chairman, and Shaku, his replacement, are from the Tiv-speaking part of the state.

The constitutional provision declaring actions taken contrary to the stipulated succession procedure “null and void” is expected to further fuel questions about the validity of the process that produced Shaku.

However, it was not immediately clear whether ALGON relied on another provision of its constitution, an amendment or any other resolution in arriving at the decision.

As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State chapter of ALGON had yet to publicly explain why Ejeh did not succeed Neji or state the constitutional basis upon which Shaku emerged as chairman.

The development is expected to generate debate over adherence to the association’s constitution, internal democracy and equitable representation in the leadership of Benue ALGON.