Ebonyi assembly moves to remove Elechi

The Ebonyi state house of assembly has served an impeachment notice on Martin Elechi, governor of the state, over alleged misappropriation of public funds, gross misconduct and other offences.

The motion for the notice that was served on Elechi was moved by Odefa Obasi, representative of Onicha south constituency, and seconded by Valentine Okike of Afikpo southeast constituency.

Odefa was the head of the five-man panel set up by the house to investigate the allegations against Elechi.

Francis Nwifruru, acting leader of the house, accused the governor of misappropriating funds and undermining the integrity of the house.

Earlier, five petitions were brought to the house by a group known as Ebonyi Integrity Group (EIG).

The EIG accused the governor as well as his son, Elechi Elechi who is Labour Party gubernatorial candidate, and one Edward Nkwegu of contract inflation and diversion of public funds for financial gains.

The Ebonyi crisis took a new turn when four lawmakers loyal to Elechi defected to the Labour Party, resulting in the decision of the house to declare their seats vacant.

On Monday, the account section of the assembly got engulfed by fire, raising suspicion that some aggrieved politicians were behind the act.

The political atmosphere in the state is not only tensed but has extended into sub-ethnic crisis, with one faction supporting the governor, who is from Abakaliki, and the other supporting Anyim Pius, secretary to the government of the federation, who hails from Afikpo.

Elechi fell out with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he was elected twice, for losing the bid to secure the party’s ticket for Ebonyi central senatorial district in the forthcoming general election and the inability of Onyebuchi Chukwu, his preferred candidate, to win the PDP gubernatorial primariy.

Dave Umahi, his current deputy, is the PDP governorship flag bearer in the state.