Critics of the Chairman of Boki Local Government Area, Hon. Mrs. Beatrice Etta Nyiam, have rejected a recent rejoinder issued by Ambrose Omah in defence of her administration, questioning its performance, management of public funds and commitment to grassroots development.
In a fresh response titled Rejoinder To The Rejoinder, the critics argued that the achievements presented by the Chairman's supporters do not reflect the level of development expected from a local government reportedly receiving hundreds of millions of naira monthly from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
They described the APC's continued response to public criticism through rejoinders as an attempt to divert attention from demands for accountability, insisting that the people deserve verifiable records of projects and financial expenditure rather than political arguments.
The rejoinder listed several achievements credited to the present administration, including solar-powered boreholes in five villages, repairs of ten hand pumps, construction of a civic centre in Abo, a town hall in Agba, a classroom block in Okwa, four culverts and one box culvert, distribution of 300 bags of cement, a football tournament and the launch of a website.
However, the critics questioned whether these projects were sufficient to justify two years in office, considering the financial resources reportedly available to the local government.
According to their calculations, Boki LGA receives over ₦400 million monthly from FAAC, excluding its share of the state's internally generated revenue and the council's own internally generated revenue from timber, cocoa, markets and other economic activities.
They calculated that ₦400 million monthly over 24 months amounts to ₦9.6 billion, while adding an estimated internally generated revenue of over ₦1 billion would bring the total to approximately ₦10.6 billion.
They further estimated that the combined cost of the projects listed in the Chairman's rejoinder might not even reach ₦120 million, an amount they described as significantly lower than one month's allocation.
The critics consequently questioned how the balance of the approximately ₦10.6 billion reportedly received during the period was expended, demanding that the Chairman publish the monthly FAAC allocations, internally generated revenue records, audited financial statements and detailed expenditure records from the beginning of her administration.
They also renewed an earlier allegation that the Chairman signs over Boki's allocations to Government House in exchange for political support towards securing a second-term ticket. They maintained that the allegation deserves clarification through transparent financial records.
On the legal responsibilities of the Chairman, the critics cited Section 7 and the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, which provide for democratically elected local government councils and outline their responsibilities, including the construction and maintenance of local roads, provision of public facilities and participation in essential services and community development.
They argued that these constitutional responsibilities must translate into measurable development across Boki's eleven wards, particularly given the reported volume of public funds available to the council.
They also referenced the Supreme Court judgment in Attorney-General of the Federation v. Attorney-General of Abia State & Others (2024), which affirmed the constitutional principle of financial autonomy for local governments and addressed the direct allocation of funds to democratically elected local government councils.
According to them, allegations that local government funds are being diverted or surrendered for political considerations should not be ignored. They maintained that where evidence establishes improper diversion or misappropriation of public funds, the relevant authorities should investigate and take appropriate action under the law.
The critics further invoked the principles of fiscal responsibility, transparency and the Freedom of Information Act, insisting that residents have the right to demand explanations concerning public revenue and expenditure in accordance with applicable laws.
They also questioned the effectiveness of the Vice Chairman and the Legislative Council under the present administration, expressing concerns about the visibility of the Vice Chairman and the perceived lack of independence among councillors.
They alleged that councillors had been reduced to mere rubber stamps, unable to meaningfully question or scrutinise decisions of the administration, a situation they said raises concerns about democratic accountability at the grassroots level.
On the Chairman's claimed intervention in the conflict between Boje and Iso-Bendeghe, the critics demanded specific evidence of the peacebuilding process.
They asked the administration to identify the peace meeting convened by the Chairman, its date, venue, participants and the concrete resolutions reached.
According to the rejoinder, the Chairman's intervention was limited to a visit to one side of the conflict, accompanied by what the critics described as an emotional display before the cameras, while victims on the other side continued to suffer.
They argued that a more comprehensive approach would have involved bringing both communities together at Okundi, a neutral location, establishing a peace committee comprising traditional rulers and other credible stakeholders, and maintaining sustained engagement until meaningful progress was achieved.
The critics recalled that violent conflict occurred between the communities in June 2025 and again in August 2026, adding that concerns remain over destroyed properties, damaged economic trees, inadequate compensation and the absence of a comprehensive reconciliation process.
They maintained that peacebuilding requires more than visits, photographs and public statements, stressing the need for impartiality, sustained dialogue, accountability and practical solutions that address the grievances of both communities.
They further expressed concern that residents of the neighbouring communities, whose people share historical, cultural and family relationships, are still unable to visit one another freely.
Describing the situation as fragile, they warned that the absence of sincere reconciliation could create room for renewed tension. They also alleged that political considerations and administrative inexperience may have contributed to the situation in which human lives and longstanding relationships have been placed at risk.
The critics thanked God that further escalation had been avoided but insisted that the Chairman must take decisive steps to secure lasting peace between the communities.
While acknowledging that the repairs of hand pumps, distribution of 300 bags of cement and construction of culverts were useful interventions, they argued that such projects remain modest when compared with the broader responsibilities and financial capacity expected of a local government administration.
They therefore questioned where the dividends of democracy could be seen across Boki's eleven wards and challenged the Chairman to identify substantial, verifiable and transformative projects delivered across the communities.
On the issue of political zoning, the critics disagreed with attempts to separate performance from equitable representation, maintaining that the present administration has failed to satisfy expectations on both fronts.
They argued that historical records indicate that since 1999, Boje Ward has produced a local government chairman twice, while wards such as Abo, Alanku, Ekpashi, Kakwagom/Bawop and Ogep have yet to produce a chairman.
They called for these historical claims to be examined against official records of previous administrations.
According to them, the demand for zoning is not an act of hostility against Boje Ward but a legitimate call for fairness, inclusion and an opportunity for other wards to participate in leadership.
They warned that retaining the chairmanship in Boje once again could deepen the perception of political exclusion among residents of other wards, who may begin to question whether they will ever have a fair opportunity to occupy the position.
The critics maintained that political leadership should not be treated as the exclusive preserve of any particular ward.
They further questioned the basis for considering the Chairman for a second term when concerns about equitable representation, infrastructure, revenue accountability and administrative performance remain unresolved.
They insisted that Madam Chairman was elected to serve the people and deliver measurable development, not to engage in endless exchanges of political rejoinders.
The critics consequently challenged the administration to publish three major categories of financial records: the monthly FAAC allocations received by Boki LGA over the last 24 months, a comprehensive statement of internally generated revenue during the same period, and audited financial statements alongside detailed expenditure records showing how public funds were utilised.
They argued that transparency remains the strongest response to public criticism and that making these records available would give residents an opportunity to independently assess the administration's stewardship.
The rejoinder also made reference to previous political administrations in Boki, urging Ambrose Omah to consult Hon. Mrs. Bessie Bakong Obi, who served as Chairman of Boki LGA before the late Hon. Jonas Obi Otu, popularly known as Antis, and examine the historical records of previous administrations.
The critics disclosed that they were gathering relevant records concerning revenue management and the alleged roles of Kelvin Njong, Hon. Victor Abang and Hon. Philip Bette Obi in controlling revenue and building groups of political thugs allegedly intended to facilitate electoral manipulation in favour of the APC.
These allegations were presented as matters requiring further examination and verification.
They also warned that anyone found to have misappropriated public funds must be held accountable under the law, including through investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where its jurisdiction applies.
According to them, the end of a political tenure should not automatically bring an end to accountability, insisting that public officeholders must be prepared to answer questions concerning their stewardship even after leaving office.
The critics further accused the present administration of failing to address the worsening infrastructural challenges confronting Boki communities, particularly the deplorable condition of roads and inadequate healthcare facilities.
They observed that several roads across Boki have deteriorated to alarming levels, making transportation difficult, affecting movement between communities and hindering economic activities.
They said the situation had become so distressing that many residents regard Boki's roads as among the worst in the country.
They also questioned what they described as the Chairman's failure to engage effectively with elected representatives at higher levels of government to attract interventions and address the challenges confronting the local government.
According to them, a responsible administration should use every available constitutional and institutional channel to advocate for its people, attract development and ensure that the needs of its communities receive the attention they deserve.
They maintained that the Chairman should be more concerned about improving living conditions across the eleven wards than engaging in endless political exchanges with those demanding accountability.
The critics concluded that Boki needs functional healthcare facilities, accessible roads, improved public infrastructure, effective peacebuilding, equitable political representation and responsible management of public resources.
They insisted that no amount of propaganda, political intimidation or endless rejoinders could permanently silence legitimate demands for transparency, accountability, peace and development.
They ended with a strong message to the Chairman and her supporters, maintaining that Boki's resources belong to its people and must be managed in their collective interest.
BOKI IS NOT FOR SALE. BOKI DESERVES ACCOUNTABILITY. BOKI DESERVES DEVELOPMENT.
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