The Bayelsa State House of Assembly has approved the removal of the Chairman of Sagbama Local Government Area, Hon. Alice Allen Tangi, and his Vice Chairman, Hon. Sufade Jefferson Tobi, over alleged gross misconduct.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, announced the decision during plenary, saying it was in compliance with Section 22, subsections 6 and 7 of the Bayelsa State Administration Law 2000.
The removal followed a petition against the council chairman over alleged failure to present monthly transparency briefings, failure to present the annual budget before spending and failure to appear before the House.
Ingobere said the Assembly’s resolution would be communicated to the executive arm of government for necessary action.
He disclosed that 17 of the 20 lawmakers present voted in favour of the removal.
Here’s a tightened rewrite, with the honorific dropped per house style and structure cleaned up:
The House of Assembly had summoned Allen Tangi to appear before it on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, despite a subsisting Bayelsa State High Court order directing parties in a related suit to maintain the status quo.
The move had heightened tensions over the Assembly’s actions against Allen, who was facing allegations bordering on mismanagement of council funds and failure to submit the council’s annual budget.
Justice D.E. Adokeme, sitting as a vacation judge at the Yenagoa Judicial Division of the Bayelsa State High Court, granted an ex parte application filed by Allen Tangi on August 10, 2026, ordering all parties to “maintain the status quo” pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
Allen filed the suit against the Bayelsa State Government, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, the Sagbama Legislative Council, the Leader of the Council, and the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, among others.
Court filings show the matter has been fixed for an expedited hearing on August 20, 2026. The State Assembly, however, scheduled Allen Tangi’s appearance for August 18, two days ahead of the court hearing.
Assembly Approves University Staff Allowances
In another development, the Assembly approved funding for the payment of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTA) for staff of the state’s universities.
The approval followed a request by Governor Douye Diri.
Speaking in support of the request, the Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Monday Obolo, said the measure was necessary because of the challenges facing state-owned universities.
He said the allowances would improve the welfare and productivity of academic and non-academic staff.
According to Obolo, the allowances were negotiated at the federal level and would enable Bayelsa to align with other states that had introduced similar provisions.
He said the initiative would also strengthen the state’s academic system.
Obolo said, “Due to the enormous challenges faced in state-owned universities, the approval is necessary in order to enhance the productivity of lecturers and non-lecturers.”
He added that the provision would help Bayelsa State “be at par with other states” and make it one of the first states to introduce the allowances.
The lawmaker disclosed that the projected monthly increase across the state’s three universities would be N564,842,691.58.
He said the amount would be incorporated into the state’s salary structure, with payment expected to commence next month.
Contributing to the debate, the member representing Ekeremor Constituency II, Hon. Living Mitin, and his Kolokuma/Opokuma counterpart, Hon. Wisdom Fafin, backed the approval.
Mitin and Fafin said the CATA would improve the welfare of university staff and help prevent disruptions to the state’s education system.
Assembly Approves New Chart Of Accounts
The lawmakers also approved a new chart of accounts incorporating newly created ministries, departments and agencies in the state.
The measure, according to the Assembly, is in compliance with international best practices and is intended to facilitate transparent tracking of government revenue and expenditure.
The new chart of accounts is also expected to improve budgetary planning and support the implementation of the Prosperity Administration’s ASSURED agenda.
Bayelsa Assembly Approves 2027-2029 MTEF-FSP
The Assembly also approved the 2027–2029 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF-FSP).
The approval is expected to pave the way for the preparation of the state’s 2027 annual budget.
Explaining the importance of the document, Obolo described the MTEF-FSP as a precursor to the annual budget, saying it would enable the government to assess key economic indicators.
He said the framework would help the government plan around variables such as crude oil prices, exchange rates and inflation.
Obolo stressed that the economic parameters contained in the document were achievable.
The Deputy Leader of the House, Hon. Bernard Kenebai, commended Governor Diri for consistently submitting the document within the required timeframe.
Kenebai said the figures contained in the framework were realistic and would provide a sound basis for the state’s 2027 budget.
Assembly Takes First Reading Of Education Bills
Meanwhile, the Assembly took the first readings of the Universal Basic Education Board Amendment Bill 2026 and the Senior Secondary Education Board Bill 2026.
The bills are expected to undergo further legislative consideration before possible passage.
