By Geoffrey Anyanwu, Awka
Former deputy chairmen of Local Government Areas in Anambra state have threatened the re-election bid of Governor Willie Obiano over the alleged debt owed them by the state government.
The former deputies warned that they would be forced to reconsider their support for the Governor if the arrears of their entitlements of about N83.4 million were not paid before full time campaigns commence.
The Deputy Chairmen Forum (DCM), a group made up of former deputy council chairmen met in Awka and appealed to Obiano to pay them their entitlements without further delay.
The spokesperson of the group, Chuks Obinwelozo, said the debts included wardrobe allowances, 28-day hotel claims, furniture allowances and salary differentials for two years. They accused the state Commissioner for Local Government, Greg Obi and the Chairman of Joint Action Committee (JAC), Tony Olih of frustrating their efforts of getting their entitlements.
But Olih countered their claims, saying that the state government does not owe them as they alleged. He insisted that adding that the state government had settled the council ex-workers as stipulated in their letters of engagement.
Olih disclosed that during a meeting with the deputies, the government told them what it could afford and it was agreed that payment would best be paid in instalments and that agreement has been kept by the government.