By Kelechi Ugo
The Executive Chairman of Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State, Hon. Chief Friday Ibekaeme, KSJI, JP, has rejected allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, breach of official duties and financial mismanagement levelled against his administration by members of the Orsu Legislative Council.
Ibekaeme, in a detailed response dated August 7, 2026, described the allegations, particularly the claim that public funds had been expended without corresponding development across the local government, as inconsistent with the realities on the ground.
The Chairman maintained that his administration had, within available resources and in line with its priorities, undertaken a number of interventions covering road rehabilitation, renovation of council facilities, administrative operations, community support and security-related activities.
According to him, the allegations should not be determined through general assertions but subjected to proper scrutiny of official records and physical projects executed across the local government.
Responding specifically to the allegation that no development projects had been carried out in the wards, the Chairman said road grading and other related rehabilitation works had been undertaken in various parts of Orsu.
He said the records of the roads graded, their locations, dates of execution and expenditure incurred were available through the Works Department of the council.
Ibekaeme therefore challenged the claim that no development had taken place in the wards, urging that the relevant projects be physically inspected and verified.
He further suggested that each ward should be assessed on the basis of documented interventions, locations, scope of work, dates of execution and corresponding expenditure.
Council Facilities Receive Attention
The Chairman also listed the rehabilitation and improvement of several council facilities as evidence of his administration’s activities.
Among the facilities he said had benefited from interventions were the council chapel, Secretary/Supervisors’ Block, Social Welfare Block, Health Block, DSS Block, Cold Chain facility, Legislative Block and ISEC Office.
Other interventions, according to him, included painting and general improvement of the council premises, replacement and fitting of doors and windows, environmental cleaning and maintenance, as well as provision and replacement of furniture and other office facilities.
Ibekaeme said the projects were tangible and could be physically inspected by the councillors and other relevant authorities.
Chairman Defends Administrative Expenditure
The Orsu council boss further explained that the financial responsibilities of a local government went beyond capital projects, stressing that legitimate recurrent and administrative expenditures were also necessary for the effective running of the council.
He cited salaries and related obligations of Special Assistants, legitimate imprests for council officers, stationery and office consumables, furniture and office equipment, cleaning and maintenance, administrative activities and official assignments among the expenditures incurred by the administration.
He argued that such expenses constituted legitimate public expenditure where they were duly authorised, documented and applied for approved purposes.
The peculiar security challenges confronting Orsu also featured prominently in the Chairman’s response.
Ibekaeme said his administration had committed resources towards community support and security-related activities considered necessary to protect lives and property and safeguard government facilities.
He maintained that such expenditures should form part of any objective assessment of the council’s overall financial activities.
On the allegation that his administration had failed to account for public funds, the Chairman said he had no objection to lawful legislative oversight or examination of council financial records.
However, he cautioned against making sweeping allegations without reference to specific transactions and supporting documents.
He called for any questionable transaction to be identified by date, amount, payment reference, purpose and supporting evidence, arguing that such an approach would allow the issues to be properly examined and responded to.
According to him, the relevant records could be obtained from the appropriate departments, particularly the Works Department and the Treasury, which maintain the technical and financial documentation of the council.
Ibekaeme also reaffirmed the Executive Arm’s respect for the constitutional and statutory responsibilities of the Legislative Council.
He, however, stressed that legislative oversight must be exercised within the framework of the Constitution, applicable local government laws, financial regulations and other relevant legislation governing local government administration.
The Chairman said his administration remained prepared to provide appropriate information and records through established administrative channels and cooperate with any lawful investigation, audit or review.
Concluding his response, the Orsu council chairman maintained that his administration had not abandoned its responsibility to provide services, maintain council infrastructure, execute projects and promote the welfare and security of the people.
He urged the councillors to work with the relevant Heads of Department, particularly the HOD Works and the Treasurer, to obtain complete records of projects and expenditures before reaching conclusions on the utilisation of council funds.
The Chairman’s response comes amid a growing disagreement between the Executive and Legislative Arms of the Orsu Local Government Council over allegations bordering on the management of public resources and the pace of development in the local government.
Ibekaeme insisted that the issues should be resolved through documentary evidence, physical verification and lawful oversight rather than generalised accusations.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, lawful administration, development and the welfare of the people of Orsu Local Government Area.
