Rivers Journalists Demand Disclosure Of State LG Spending

By Ken Asinobi The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has demanded full disclosure of the circumstances surrounding the suspension of local government administration in the state, urging authorities to clarify the legal, financial and administrative implications of the decision. The demand was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Union's 10th Congress, held on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre, Port Harcourt, where members reviewed major issues affecting Rivers State, including governance, security, education, flooding and the emerging political environment ahead of the 2027 general elections. The NUJ expressed concern over the uncertainty created by the suspension, particularly its possible impact on the administration of local councils, the payment of workers' salaries, the delivery of basic services and the implementation of development programmes across the state. The Union said citizens have a right to know the reasons for the suspension, the duration of the arrangement and the constitutional or legal provisions under which it was imposed. It therefore called on the state government and other relevant authorities to publish clear details of the decision, including the status of elected local government officials, the responsibilities of any appointed administrators and the mechanisms put in place to safeguard public funds. The NUJ also urged the authorities to provide regular updates on the management of local government finances and ensure that council resources are used transparently for the benefit of residents. According to the Union, prolonged uncertainty at the local government level could weaken grassroots governance and further distance citizens from institutions responsible for providing essential services in their communities. It stressed that local governments remain critical to the delivery of primary healthcare, education, sanitation, rural roads and other services, warning that administrative disruptions should not be allowed to undermine the welfare of residents. The Union further appealed to political actors to place the interests of Rivers people above partisan considerations and to resolve all disputes through constitutional and democratic channels. The Congress reaffirmed the NUJ's commitment to accountability, transparency and the public interest, urging government institutions to respect the right of citizens and the media to access timely and accurate information on decisions affecting the state.