Gov. Martin Elechi
The move to impeach Ebonyi State Governor, Martin Elechi, commenced on Tuesday with the members of the State House of Assembly mandating him to submit details of the financial accruals to the state, including Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Federation Allocation and donor agencies to the House on Friday, January 9, 2015.
Elechi has been in a running battle in the State with some powerful politicians, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Anyim Pius Anyim.
The lawmakers, who are perceived to be loyal to the Anyim group in their sitting on Tuesday, also dissolved the caretaker chairmen of the 13 local government areas, and the 28 newly appointed coordinators of the Development Centres in the state.
The House, which sat with 18 out of 24 members, equally directed that membership of boards and parastatals of government remain dissolved.
Ruling on the motion, the Speaker of the House Chief Chukwuma Nwazunku, noted that the constitution of the caretaker committees and coordinators were unconstitutional.
“This House also orders the immediate dissolution of the reconstituted boards of the State Local Government Service Commission, Universal Basic Education Board, Secondary Education Board, among others.”
He noted that they were not against the governor making appointments “but what we are contending is that the appointments did not pass though the constitutional House screening”.
He added that the governor after the dissolution, can still re-appoint them and present them for screening.
Nwazunku also noted that the state government should submit to the House, all details of the federal allocation, internally generated revenue and all funds accruable to the state from January 1 to December31, 2014.
“The dissolved caretaker committees should submit all relevant government’s documents in their possession to the Head of Personnel Management (HPM) before close of work on Tuesday while the governor should submit the financial details before Jan.9, 2015.”
He noted that the House was also inviting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and other anti-graft agencies while the state Commissioner of Police should ensure that all government properties at the disposal of the deposed persons, are recovered and protected,” he said.
The motion for the dissolution of the caretaker committee chairmen was moved by Obasi Odefa (PDP Onicha East) and seconded by Mr. Chris Usulor (PDP-Ezza South) while that of the financial details was moved by Mr. Frank Onwe (Ohaukwu North) and seconded by Mr. Ogbonnia Nwifuru (Izzi-West).
But in a quick reaction, the State Governor, Chief Martin Elechi, through his CHIEF press secretary, Dr. Onyekachi Eni, urged caretaker chairmen and coordinators to go about their businesses, as the House’s resolution was merely advisory, which the executive may take or reject.
Elechi also stated that all the issues the House passed resolution on were subjects of litigation, and called on the citizens of the state to remain calm as the state government would take necessary action to address the issues.
He said; “First is to say that we have enormous respect to the members of Ebonyi State House of Assembly being an important arm of government. And on account of that respect we are surprised by the action they have taken by way of a resolution seeking to dissolve the local government caretaker committee chairmen, boards etc.
“The first is that resolutions are not laws; a resolution is a persuasive communication, which emanates from the House of Assembly to the executive seeking that certain things be done.
“And being persuasive, resolutions are advisory in nature and as we all know advice can be taken or rejected. So, in this case their advice to the governor or to the executive arm is noted.
“Having said that we also note that the issues that they are raising are within the province of the executive arm or government. The duty of the House of Assembly is to make law for the good governance of the state in the State House of Assembly or in the nation for the federal legislature, and not to now get into the executive line of duty which is what the House is seeking to do in this case,” he said.
A source hinted DAILY POST that the present action of the lawmakers may soon be followed by the service of impeachment notice on the Governor.
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