Imo governor, Sen. Hope Uzodinma, has granted full autonomy to local councils in the state and stopped all deductions from the monthly Federal allocation to the councils.
He made this known in his maiden state broadcast on Tuesday.
According to him, the step became necessary to aid the growth of the councils and promote accountability of the council administrations.
Also, the Imo governor vowed to conduct local government elections soon.
Uzodinma said that a soon-to-be reconstituted State-Local Government Joint Accounts Allocation Committee (JACC) would manage council funds.
“Accordingly, all deductions from Local Government funds are hereby stopped.
“Local governments will henceforth receive their full allocation and be accountable for same.
“The state government shall contribute 10 percent of its net Internally Generated Revenue to JAAC as counterpart funds towards rural economic and social development.
“The autonomy of local government shall be restored forthwith,” the governor stated.
Furthermore, Uzodinma warned those who lost out in the Supreme Court verdict that brought him to power last Tuesday against constituting a public nuisance in the state.
The governor said he would not hesitate to bring the full weight of the law down on anyone that made it impossible for him to govern the state.
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The Imo governor said, “There is a need for vigilance. It is crystal clear to me that some of those who lost out in the final battle at the Supreme Court, where the real winner of the March 2019 governorship election was determined, are finding it difficult to come to grips with reality.
“They have consequently resorted to mischief-making and incitement of the public. They spread falsehood against me and the government.
“They sponsor pockets of protests against the government and seek to divide us on clannish grounds.
“They deride our institutions when such institutions take decisions that do not favour them.
“Let me make it clear that while our doors are wide open to accommodate everyone, including my political opponents, and while we insist on enduring peace and reconciliation, we shall not brood any reckless breach of the laws of the land.
“Those encouraging or sponsoring any breach of public peace should desist forthwith or face the full wrath of the law.
“Make no mistake about it; I have a responsibility to govern Imo State and to maintain the peace therefrom.
“In the discharge of these duties, I shall not hesitate to bring the full weight of the law on anybody, no matter how highly placed, who constitutes himself or herself into a public nuisance.
“I also advise law-abiding people of our beloved state to resist attempts to be used for selfish reasons by desperate politicians.
“We know those behind these incitements; who are sowing seeds of discord to divide our state.
“I appeal to them to have a rethink and remember that power comes from God and that even more importantly, no election is the end of elections but rather the confirmation that more elections are ahead. So, the losers today can be the winners tomorrow and next tomorrow.
“As we celebrate the birth of a new Imo which we achieved with your support, it is time for us to harp on the things that unite us not on the things that divide us.”