The Leader of Onicha local government area legislative council in Ebonyi state, Hon. Anayo Kingsley Simon has been impeached.
He was impeached alongside two other councilors, Nwachukwu Alo Christopher representing Ugu ward and Lawrence Ogbonnaya of Enuagu ward who were indefinitely suspended.
Impeachment of the legislative leader and suspension of the two ward councillors, took place at the local government headquarters, Isu on Wednesday morning by 9 out of the 12 councillors in the legislative council.
Udoka Obaji representing Ogudu Okwor Oshiri ward moved a motion for the impeachment of the Leader while Blessing Nwancho of Umudomi ward seconded the motion.
Deputy Leader of the legislative ward; Nweke Maduabuchi who presided over the impeachment sitting said, the leader was impeached for irregularities, insubordination, betrayal of the councilors during their struggles for better welfare in the local government and ineffectiveness as a legislative leader.
“We believe it is essential to address this issue to restore confidence in our local government area.
“Our major concern is unfulfilled commitment. You failed the 11 councilors who were in struggle with you to fight for the right of the councilors through dialogue.
“When the struggle with the Chairman was ongoing, you went at our back and demanded N30million compensation to restore normalcy and when the council Chairman failed to oblige to your request, you turned to instigate crisis among we the councillors that caused division in the legislative house.
“We discovered irregularities when we found out that you have been collecting N500,000 from the council Chairman on the monthly basis and keep lying to us your colleagues that something of that nature doesn’t exist.
“As if that is not enough. While the struggle was ongoing, you requested for financial assistance in our absence just to be settled and we will be left behind and when we discovered the heinous act, you maintained that is your right to do whatever thing you choose as a Leader.
“We also discovered that you have a personal fracas with the council Chairman when you vowed that he must tender unreserved apology to you for speaking publicly before the stakeholders of Onicha that he pays you N500,000 monthly as his Leader.
“You maintained that it is a secret that needs not to be said as and insisted he must apologize.
“For four consecutive times, you have stepped out of office demanding for replacement each time we demand for accountability and we all plead with you to continue your leadership, that you have our support but now, we are fade up with your unruly pattern of leadership.
“On this note, we want to specifically tell you we are no more comfortable with your leadership and at this juncture, you are hereby impeached and suspended indefinitely. We demand you return all the local government property within 48 hours.
“In the same vein, we the Onicha councilors hereby suspend the following councillors for inciting crisis and conniving with Hon. Anayo Kingsley Simon the former Leader of the council to discomfort the leadership of Onicha Local Government Area.
“They are Hon. Nwachukwu Alo Christopher representing Ugu ward and Hon Lawrence Ogbonnaya representing Enuagu ward”, he said.
The councillors elected Akpa Njoku Uchenna of Amanator ward as their new Leader during the impeachment sitting.
In his acceptance speech, Akpa assured that he will lead the councilors with transparency, fairness and inclusiveness
“Every voice matters in this council and under my leadership, unity and cooperation shall be our guidance principle.
“We must work hand in hand with the executive arm to bring meaningful development to our wards, promote accountability in the governance and ensure that dividends of democracy reach every corner of Onicha local government”, he said
