Tension is mounting in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State following a sharp disagreement over the approval of the council’s 2026 budget, with a majority of councillors accusing the leadership of the legislative arm of bypassing due process.
The crisis has split the 20-member legislative house, as 14 councillors openly challenged the actions of the Leader of the House, Hon. Raphael Uzor Babor, alleging procedural irregularities and intimidation. The lawmakers claim the situation has disrupted normal legislative activities and created uncertainty around the legality of the approved budget.
At the heart of the dispute is the claim that the 2026 appropriation was declared passed without proper deliberation or the required number of lawmakers present. The aggrieved councillors insist that only a handful of members were in attendance when the approval was announced, raising questions about transparency and compliance with legislative rules.
They further alleged that attempts to question the process were met with threats, including warnings of suspension and alleged intimidation involving local security operatives, which they described as an effort to silence dissenting voices within the council.
According to the councillors, Hon. Babor announced via the council’s social media platform that the 2026 budget had been approved despite the absence of the majority of members in the legislative chamber.
The aggrieved lawmakers also accused the legislative leader of attempting to rush the process by denying them adequate time to review key financial documents, particularly the 2025 budget performance report, before proceeding with the new estimates.
They explained that the disagreement began when members demanded certified true copies of the 2025 appropriation byelaws and performance report to enable proper scrutiny.
Although the documents were eventually made available on March 26, the councillors said they requested more time to study the report, a move they claimed did not sit well with the legislative leadership.
The list of councillors who demanded time for review includes Joel Chukwuka Odu, Peter Kanayo Nwakwushue, Victor Ijeli Okwechime, Stephen Onyeisi Okafor, Nkabu Chinyere Blessing, Francisca Iwegbu and Chukwuwike Paul Okonkwo, among others.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Aniocha North Secretariat last Thursday, one of the affected councillors, Peter Kanayo Nwakwushue, said the dispute was rooted in the lawmakers’ responsibility to ensure accountability and transparency in governance.
He stressed that councillors have a duty to properly scrutinise budget proposals and provide their constituents with accurate information on government spending and project execution.
“Budget approval must follow due legislative procedures, including proper readings and detailed scrutiny. It is not lawful for a handful of members to pass such an important document or for any leader to unilaterally suspend elected councillors,” he said.
The lawmakers outlined key demands, including transparency and accountability between the executive and legislative arms, mandatory provision of certified budget documents, regular presentation of budget performance reports, and full support for the legislature to carry out its oversight functions.
They also clarified that the alleged suspension of some members was a direct consequence of their insistence on due process and not for any misconduct.
At least ten councillors were present at the briefing, reaffirming their position and calling for adherence to democratic principles within the council.
The councillors emphasised that their disagreement is strictly with the leadership of the legislative arm and not with the Executive Chairman of the council, Hon. Emmanuel Bazim Chinye, whom they said has not been directly involved in the controversy.
Efforts to get a response from Hon. Raphael Uzor Babor were unsuccessful, as he declined to comment when contacted, citing a meeting and failing to return subsequent calls.
