Benue ALGON leadership dispute follows chairman resignation

A leadership dispute has emerged within the Benue State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) following the resignation of Chairman Vitalis Terhile Neji.

Dr. Justine Shaku, the Executive Chairman of Katsina-Ala Local Government Council, has been selected as the new chairman. This decision has sparked controversy because it appears to bypass the Vice Chairman, Hon. James Melvin Ejeh of Agatu Local Government Council.

Critics point to Section 11.2.1 of the ALGON Constitution, which stipulates that in the event of a chairman's resignation or incapacitation, the vice chairman should assume leadership. The constitution further states that any decisions made outside of these prescribed procedures are ‘null and void.’ The selection of Shaku has also raised ethnic representational concerns, as both the outgoing chairman and the new appointee are from Tiv-speaking areas, while the bypassed vice chairman is from the Idoma-speaking Benue South Senatorial District.