Attention of the Media Office of Adavi LG Administrator has been drawn to the undaunted and malicious allegation levelled against the hard working and success achieving Administrator of Adavi LG , Hon. Joseph Omuya Salami, over falsified allegation of non payment of allowances of the Adavi Elders Advisory Council coming from the weak spokesperson of the group, Hon. Sanni Opotu.
Ordinarily, there wouldn't have been any need to glorify the post with a response, but for the distorted facts that characterised the allegation which is capable of misleading unsuspecting members of the public and aimed at scoring cheap political point, the office of the Administrator therefore, deemed it necessary to put facts right through this medium.
Firstly, it's important to note that right from inception, Adavi Local Government has suffered the virus called "Garnishing Order", which is the major reason why up till date, the issue of salary payment hasn't been stable. This financial mishap was inherited by this administration from the previous one.
Secondly, the acclaimed spokesperson of the Adavi Elders Advisory Council has at one time as a former Councillor led other members to garnish account of the Local Government to the whooping sum of Thirty-Five Million Naira (N35m) in connivance with the leadership of the Local Government then, and recently dragged the LG to court, garnished the account with another Sixty-Five Million Naira (#65m) and benefitted from the same, and thus, underlying records relating to the transactions are all available for vouching. Therefore, the straightforwardness in dealing with issues by the present Leadership of Adavi LG which has no regard for such evil acts of misappropriation of public funds makes the writer uncomfortable and therefore, willing to take a pound of flesh.
Thirdly, the allegation of non payment of the Elders Advisory Council allowances of 50% for 12months is not peculiar to Adavi LGA alone as other LGAs in Kogi State experienced same. The verifiable records are there for public consumption.
Fourthly, the Elders Advisory Council committee were at no time owed allowances of 100% for five (5) months as claimed by the writer. However, the modalities of payments as could be confirmed from the office of the Local Government Treasurer and Head of Administration/ Director of Local Government are that, the staff salaries would be paid, followed by Political Office holders of the LG alongside with the allowances of the Elders Advisory Council Members. However, the Political Office holders have two (2) months arrears left unpaid which is same with the Elders Advisory Council as they were holding Political Appointments too.
Fifthly, on the acclaimed spokesperson of the Adavi Elders Advisory Council Committee's statement to have held a meeting last Tuesday led by the former and first Executive Chairman of Adavi LG Council, Hon. Ozigi Mayaki Asema, I made bold to say however, that if such meeting was properly instituted devoid of selfish interests, Mr. Anataku Odiye would have without sentiment make it clearer at the meeting the protracted challenges facing the local government, which was why, he was appointed as Chairman of debt recovery during the immediate past Council Administrator's regime.
Sixthly, describing Hon. Joseph Omuya Salami as a person who has no respect for elders is false, mischievous and in fact a figment of their imagination. The false allegation was in defamation of his character as Hon. Joseph was widely known as a leader with personified high level of morals and humbleness who accords respect to aged ones despite his attained position or achieved status.
Seventh, if the acclaimed spokesperson truly reported the Administrator to all the leaders in Adavi LGA as alleged, his attention would have been called to it as no quarters have done that. At least, Hon. Siyaka Oyibo as a political father to him, Hon. Commissioner for Works, Engr. AbdulMumuni Sadiq as the Adavi Political leader, Haj. Ladi Ibrahim a highly respected mother and the Political Veteran cum Chairman of Kogi Central Elders Advisory Council, Hon. (Alh) Yahaya Karaku would all have faulted him if these inconsequential allegations were true.
In addition, the crude and distorted facts contained in the said post that the Adavi Council Administrator claimed victory in all elections held in Adavi all alone is not only laughable, but also a misnomer, as after the election, he issued an "appreciative message" through his Media Office commending the good people of Adavi LGA, as well as embarked on thank you visit to the traditional rulers, critical stakeholders, religious leaders women and host of others for their collective efforts that led to change of the old narrative Adavi was known for. Ironically, the acclaimed spokesperson, Alh. Sanni Opotu was never part of the success of the New Direction Government in Adavi, as he was a stunch supporter of Alhaji Usman Jibril that was disqualified by the Court, after which he, Hon. Opotu switched his injury time supports to the New Direction Government. If not let him declare and make public the result of his Poling Unit during the last November 16th Kogi Gubernatorial Election and also show a proven evidence of where he or some of the Elders Advisory Council members that are behind this false allegation appeared in any campaign function. Only out of the magnanimous nature of the progress minded Adavi LG Administrator alongside some Appointees that Hon. Joseph buried all the political mischiefs of some members in the Elders Advisory Council against the return of our benefactor, Governor Yahaya Bello to Lugard house.
From the foregoing, we would rightly deduce that the defamatory allegation is not unconnected with the clannish sentiments and gang up aimed to tarnish the image and the strictness of the Administrator against any form of connivance to milk Adavi LGA dry as obtained in the old order where this so called spokesperson to the Elders Advisory Council, Mr Opotu used to be a beneficiary.
Similarly, the hard earned reputation of Hon. Joseph Omuya Salami remains an achievement to guard jealously, therefore, we bold to say that truth will always triumph over the deception of mischief makers who are desperate to revile the laudable and progressive deeds of the Adavi LG Council Administrator.
Finally, i wish to use this medium to call on the Chairman of Elder Advisory Council, Hon. Ozigi Mayaki to caution some of the members in that group to have reservation as i just enveloped some abnormalities, but if dirty lining need to be washed publicly, i will however unveil it at appropriate time for public consumption