A political storm is brewing in Bayelsa State as a women’s rights group has accused the state government of allegedly plotting to remove the only female local government chairperson in the state, Hon. Alice Allen Tangi, for refusing to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Centre for Women’s Rights and Development Initiative (CWRDI) alleged that Sagbama Local Government Area Chairperson, Hon. Alice Allen Tangi, is being targeted because she has chosen to remain in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The organisation claimed that moves were underway to suspend and remove Tangi through the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and the legislative arm of the Sagbama Local Government Council.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Marilyn Damian Okoro, the group described the alleged move as “a direct affront to women, a betrayal of democratic norms, and an assault on the principles of local government autonomy.”
CWRDI said Tangi is currently the only elected female local government chairperson in Bayelsa and only the second woman to occupy such a position in the state since the return to democratic rule.
The group alleged that “credible reports” showed that political pressure over Tangi’s refusal to dump the PDP for the APC was behind the reported moves against her.
It also accused Governor Douye Diri and his deputy, Pastor Peter Akpe, of allegedly masterminding the attempt to force the chairperson out of office.
“We are disappointed with Senator Douye Diri, the Governor of Bayelsa, and his Deputy, Pastor Peter Akpe, for allegedly masterminding efforts to force her out of office for declining to join the APC,” the group said.
“This is undemocratic, unconstitutional, and unacceptable.”
The women’s rights organisation warned that forcing an elected official to change political allegiance would amount to an attack on the constitutional right to freedom of association.
It insisted that political affiliation should be a matter of personal choice and conviction, not something imposed through threats, coercion or the fear of losing public office.
“Political affiliation must remain a matter of personal conviction and free will, not compulsion, coercion, or the threat of removal from office,” CWRDI said.
The group also challenged the alleged constitutional basis for removing Tangi, arguing that neither the governor nor the state House of Assembly has the power to suspend or remove an elected local government chairman.
It invoked the Supreme Court’s July 11, 2024 judgment on local government autonomy, which affirmed the financial and administrative independence of the country’s 774 local government councils.
According to the organisation, the judgment also barred state governors from dissolving elected local government councils.
“As such, Governor Douye Diri and his Deputy, Pastor Peter Akpe, who is alleged to be behind Alice’s ordeals, have no power to remove or suspend her from office,” it said.
The group questioned why anyone would allegedly want to remove Tangi when her tenure has only about seven months left.
“Why would Peter Akpe and other forces desperately want to remove a woman whose tenure ends in seven months’ time?” it asked.
“She was duly elected under the PDP and has chosen to remain in the PDP.”
CWRDI said Tangi’s decision to remain with the party under which she was elected should be respected, warning that any attempt to punish her for the decision would be anti-democratic.
The organisation called on President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Accountant-General of the Federation to intervene immediately.
It urged the Attorney-General to stop any alleged attempt to suspend or remove Tangi and called on security agencies to protect her.
The group also demanded that funds due to the Sagbama Local Government Council be paid directly in accordance with the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy.
CWRDI warned Governor Diri and others allegedly involved in the matter to “desist forthwith” from any action that could lead to Tangi’s suspension or removal.
The organisation further rallied women across Bayelsa and Nigeria to stand with the embattled chairperson, describing the alleged move as an attack on women’s participation in politics.
“We call on the women of Bayelsa State and all Nigerians of goodwill to rise in defence of Hon. Mrs. Alice Allen Tangi, who is currently under political attack,” it said.
It accused entrenched patriarchal forces of attempting to push women out of political positions whenever they refuse to be controlled.
The group also threatened a political backlash against the APC if the alleged intimidation continued.
“Nigerian women will mobilise against the APC in Bayelsa and across the country if the party persists in intimidating one of their own simply because she has chosen not to join its ranks,” it warned.
“Why are they not satisfied with seven chairmen? Why are they going after the only elected woman? What can a harmless woman do? They are doing this because she is a woman.”
