15-man Enugu assembly faction ready to impeach Gov Chime

A 15-member faction of the Enugu state house of assembly led by the speaker, Mr Eugene Odo, has commenced impeachment process against Sullivan Chime, governor of the state, alleging financial misconduct.

The members, who sat in the early hours of Monday in the legislative chambers amidst tight security, alleged that the governor manipulated the 2014 Appropriation Bill, among other impeachable offences.

They directed Christopher Chukwurah, clerk of the house, to communicate their resolution to the governor.

The faction entered the premises through the small gate after parking their vehicles by the roadside.

Meanwhile, the eight-man faction elected a new speaker, Chinedu Nwamba (PDP-Nsukka East) and a new leader, Donatus Uzogbado (PDP-Oji-River), after ‘suspending’ Odo and seven others.

Those suspended include John Anichukwu (PP-Nkanu East); the chief whip, Theresa Egbo (PDP-Enugu South Rural); the leader, Sunday Ude-Okoye (PDP-Awgu North); and Okey Nwoke (PDP-Igboetiti West).

Others are Paul Ogbe (PDP-Enugu Soth Urban), Chika Ene (PDP-Udi South) and Nze Micheal Onyeze.

During their session in the same chambers, the Nwamba- led group recalled the member representing Udi North constituency, Johnbll Nwagu, who was unanimously suspended two weeks ago for making unguarded utterances.

The group reversed an earlier motion that froze the accounts of the state basic education board, as well as the directive that the Universal Basic Education Commission should stop further transactions with its chairman, Nneka Onuorah.

The group described the initial motion as “legislative recklessness”, saying they were lawmakers and not law breakers.

“The house do hereby move that the freezing of the accounts of ESUBEB was erroneously done and of no consequence. This motion supersedes the earlier motion by the entire house,’’ the lawmakers said.

Seconding the motion, Emeka Ogbuabor (PDP-Isi Uzor) noted that he had warned against the initial decision of the assembly.

The group equally directed the clerk to communicate their decision accordingly. It adjourned plenary indefinitely.

Addressing newsmen after the session, the ‘new speaker’, Nwamba, said that the change in guard was necessitated by the “selfish interests of the other faction”.

“We will not allow few persons to ridicule this institution due to some personal interests. We are not a party to the impeachment of the governor,” he said.

“It will be unfair to allow a few people to ridicule the state due to interests. Gov. Sullivan Chime is the best governor in this country. We will work in cordial relationship with the incoming administration.”

NAN reports that a detachment of policemen barricaded the entrance to the assembly, as vehicles were not allowed into the premises.