Women's Rights Group Opposes Removal of Bayelsa LG Chair

The Centre for Women’s Rights and Development Initiative (CWRDI) has condemned the alleged political intimidation aimed at Hon. Mrs.

Alice Allen Tangi, the Chairperson of Sagbama Local Government Area (LGA) in Bayelsa State. CWRDI claims that there are plans to unconstitutionally suspend and remove Tangi due to her refusal to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement signed by Executive Director Dr. Mrs.

Marilyn Damian Okoro, the organization accused the Bayelsa state government, along with the state House of Assembly and the Sagbama LGA legislative arm, of orchestrating this move. Tangi is noted as the only female local government chairperson currently serving in Bayelsa and the second woman to hold the position since the return to democratic rule.

CWRDI argues that compelling an elected official to change political parties violates constitutional rights and calls for intervention from the Attorney-General of the Federation to uphold local government autonomy as per the Supreme Court’s July 11, 2024 judgment.