The Genuine Forum of Former Chairmanship Aspirants in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State has dissociated itself from a purported vote of confidence issued in support of the Council chairman, Mr Julius Takeme, describing the publication as misleading and insisting that those behind it do not represent the genuine members of the Forum but political appointees and people of poor pedigree.

In a statement signed by seven members of the genuine Forum, including 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, the Forum said its members remained the genuine members and committed to transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources.

The genuine former aspirants alleged that individuals who purportedly issued the vote of confidence were either former failed Council chairmen or political appointees at the state and local government levels and, therefore, could not legitimately speak on behalf of members of the Forum who had continued to demand answers from the Council administration.

The genuine Forum said its major concern was not political confrontation with the chairman but the need for proper accountability over funds allegedly received by Burutu Local Government Council. 

According to the statement, questions had been raised over the alleged management of approximately ₦23.7 billion in Council allocations, as well as the financial and contractual details surrounding major projects, including the legislative complex and the new Secretariat.

They challenged the Council administration to respond to the allegations with verifiable documents, including financial records, approved project costs, contracts, procurement documents, names of contractors and evidence showing the level of execution of the projects.

The genuine former aspirants argued that a political endorsement or vote of confidence could not substitute for financial accountability, stressing that if the administration was confident that the Council's resources had been properly managed, the most credible response would be to open the books and provide documentary evidence.

Giving clarification on the origin of the Forum of Former Chairmanship Aspirants, the Forum reject claims that it was created as a platform to fight the Council chairman. According to the genuine members, it was established following a reconciliation meeting held at the Bon Hotel in July 2024, where they alleged that, after the meeting, the Council chairman contracted Mr. Emma Akpule to create the platform through which former chairmanship aspirants could maintain communication and working synergy, but subsequently evolved into a platform where members could discuss issues affecting the local government and take collective positions on matters of public interest.

It maintained that some former aspirants who later secured political appointments had gradually stopped participating in the Forum's meetings and activities and should, therefore, have lost power to speak on behalf of the genuine members who were signatories to this report.

The genuine former aspirants said their concerns had been repeatedly discussed at meetings of the Forum, particularly issues surrounding what they described as the fiscal competence and financial management of the Takeme administration, stating that their demand remained straightforward: the Council should account for the funds it received and explain how such funds were appropriated and expended.

The statement further alleged that instead of directly addressing the financial questions raised by the genuine Forum, supporters of the Takeme's administration had resorted to political statements, endorsements and cheap blackmails, counters and unhealthy banters.

The genuine former aspirants said they were not opposed to development in Burutu, stressing that their position was driven by the need to ensure that public projects were executed transparently and in accordance with due process.

The genuine former aspirants called for disclosure of the approved costs, contractual arrangements, contractors responsible for the projects and evidence of compliance with procurement and other relevant procedures, as well as also raised allegations concerning the chairman's possible involvement in contracting arrangements, stressing that such claims should be resolved through documentary evidence and proper investigation rather than political exchanges.

The genuine Forum therefore challenged the Takeme's administration to provide the relevant records and demonstrate that the projects were properly conceived, approved, funded and executed.