Reps summon Wike, threaten to withhold FCT allocation

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The House Committee on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters has summoned Nyesom Wike, the minister of state for FCT, and the six area councils chairmen to appear before it on Tuesday July 16.

The committee also threatened to withhold appropriation to the FCT and the six area councils.

The resolution followed the refusal of the chairmen of area councils to appear before the committee.

Members of the committee over their absence and called on the government to withhold state allocations by running a Transition Implementation Committee (TIC).

The house also urged the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to create a special account where allocations due to local governments run by unelected officials would be paid.

The lawmakers noted that the number of states acting with impunity and, in utter disregard to the constitution continued to increase as not less than 21 state governors are currently operating local government councils with caretaker committees.

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According to the committee, the dissolution of democratically elected councils is in direct contravention of section 7 of the Nigerian Constitution.

A committee member, Peter Uzokwe, said that it was a sign of disrespect for appointed officials to refuse to appear before the House of Representatives.