Burutu Ex-Aspirants Reject Vote of Confidence, Demand Probe of ₦23.7bn Council Funds

By Tessy Ogbemi

The Genuine Forum of Former Chairmanship Aspirants in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State has rejected a purported vote of confidence passed on the council chairman, Mr. Julius Takeme, describing it as unauthorised and insisting that the identities of those behind the endorsement do not represent the genuine members of the forum.

The former aspirants, in a statement signed by seven members — Hon. Jude Angodideke, Hon. Paul Oruma, Hon. Duncan Tamaradoubra Forcados, Hon. Chief Godspower Tomone, Hon. Chief Lucky Feizy Oweimieotu, Hon. Stephen Eniekezimene and Hon. Comrade Ozobo Austin — said their principal concern was accountability over public funds and not a political campaign against the council chairman.

The group alleged that about ₦23.7 billion had accrued to the Burutu Local Government Council and demanded a transparent account of how the funds were received, appropriated and spent.

It also called for scrutiny of major council projects, particularly the Legislative Complex and the new Secretariat, urging the administration to publish relevant financial and contractual documents.

According to the former aspirants, the council should make available approved project costs, contracts, procurement records, names of contractors, payment records and evidence of the level of execution of the projects.

They argued that a political endorsement could not answer questions about public expenditure.

“Vote of confidence cannot answer questions on council finances,” the group maintained, stressing that documentary evidence remained the most credible way to establish whether public resources had been properly managed.

Forum Rejects Political Representation Claims

The group also disputed claims that those who recently endorsed Takeme were speaking on behalf of the wider body of former chairmanship aspirants.

It alleged that some of the individuals behind the purported endorsement were political appointees or persons who had ceased participating in the forum's activities after securing political positions.

The genuine forum explained that the platform originated from a reconciliation meeting held at Bon Hotel in July 2024, after which, according to the group, the council chairman contracted Mr. Emma Akpule to facilitate communication among former chairmanship aspirants.

The forum subsequently became a platform for members to discuss issues affecting Burutu and take collective positions on matters of public interest.

The group said members who subsequently obtained political appointments gradually withdrew from the forum and should not claim to speak for those who remained active. ₦23.7bn: Former Aspirants Demand Documents

The former aspirants said their demand for accountability was based on the need to establish how the council's resources had been utilised.

They challenged the Takeme administration to provide verifiable documentation covering revenue received by the council, expenditure, contracts and major capital projects.

They specifically demanded clarification on the financial structure and execution of the Legislative Complex and new Secretariat projects.

The group said if the administration was satisfied with its financial record, opening the relevant documents to public scrutiny would settle the controversy.

It further urged residents and relevant authorities to focus on the evidence rather than political endorsements and counter-endorsements.

Group Criticises Supporters of Takeme

The former aspirants also questioned the decision of some former council officials and political actors to endorse the administration.

They particularly mentioned former council chairmen Ebikeme Clark and Konbolus Ekisa, as well as several other individuals whom they said should not be regarded as representatives of the genuine forum.

The group also questioned the public positions of Bineabi Adowei, Francis Bomiebi, Ebisinne Kofee and Ebike Oromoni, among others.

However, the allegations and criticisms contained in the statement are the positions of the former aspirants and have not, in this report, been independently established.

No Intimidation, Says Group

The former aspirants maintained that they would not be intimidated or distracted from demanding accountability.

They said their position should not be interpreted as opposition to development in Burutu or a personal attack on the council chairman, but as a call for responsible management of public resources.

The group called on the Takeme administration to address the allegations with financial and project records, rather than political statements. It also urged relevant government agencies and stakeholders to examine the council's financial records where necessary.

The former aspirants concluded that political endorsements cannot replace financial accountability, insisting that the people of Burutu have the right to know how public funds allocated to the local government were received, appropriated and expended.

FocalPoint Reports understands that the allegations concerning the ₦23.7 billion figure, the projects and the management of council funds remain claims by the former aspirants and would require verification from official financial records and responses from the Burutu Local Government Council.

The council chairman, Julius Takeme, and those named in the statement have the opportunity to respond to the allegations.