(Updated) Enugu Lawmakers Serve Governor Chime Impeachment Notice

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News, News From The State Monday, May 4th, 2015

*As Assembly Breaks Into 2 Factions

FROM IGNATIUS OKPARA, Enugu – The lingering political war between governor Sullivan Chime, and members of the Enugu state House of Assembly worsened on Monday as 14 out of the 24 lawmakers, commenced the impeachment process of the governor.

The group, led by factional Speaker, Eugene Odoh, said they resolved to send Chime parking before the May 29th official handover date, because of the governor’s alleged gross financial misconduct.

Gov Sullivan Chime of Enugu state, South-East Nigeria

The 14 anti Chime lawmakers, who sat at about 4am this morning, also accused the governor of forging the N12 billion 2012 Supplementary Budget.

African Examiner reports that the impeachment notice was signed by 14 members, including the factional speaker and Clerk of the House, Mr. Christopher Chukwurah.

However, the Clerk was directed to serve the notice on the governor immediately.

Deputy Speaker, Chime Oji, representing Enugu North constituency who was recently elected to represent Enugu North/South Federal Constituency; Hon. Emeka Ogbuabor and Deputy House Leader, John Kevin Ukwuta were suspended at the sitting for alleged anti-House activities

Odoh, and the 13 members found their way into the legislative chamber as early as 4am and held the sitting after the police had prevented them from gaining entry into the House.

Following complaints by the speaker, the police men were ordered to allow them into the House.

The 14 lawmakers had complained that the governor was using some of its members to disrupt its activities because they refused to approve the N11 billion loan requested by the Chime.

Mace of the House was however, sneaked out of the chambers, immediately the Odoh, led faction hurriedly rose from their sitting.

But dramatically, at about 7.05am, the Deputy Speaker and eight other members of the House including the Deputy Governor- elect, Hon. Cicilia Ezeilo, walked into the chamber with another mace and conducted their own sitting. While the sitting was on, one member joined them, bringing the number of their faction to 9.

Shortly after a short prayer, Hon. John Kevin Ukwuta, who was also suspended by the Odo-led faction, moved a motion that Hon. Johnbull Nwagu who was previously suspended by the House, be recalled and Hon. Chinedu Nwamba seconded the motion.

The Pro- Chime group, however, lifted the suspension slammed on Nwagu for misconduct and invited him to join them.

Hon. Ukwuta thereafter, moved another motion calling for the suspension of the Speaker Eugene Odoh and seven other members in the anti Chime group, they are, Anichukwu Nwankwo, Okechukwu Nwoke, Paul Ogbe, Nze Michael Onyeze, Chika Eneh, Theresa Egbo and SKE Udo-Okoye.

The motion was overwhelmingly supported by the nine members.

All the principal officers among the suspended members in Odoh’s camp were also stripped of their positions and benefits.

Immediately, Ukwuta, further moved for the nomination of other colleagues to fill the vacancies created by the suspension.

He therefore, nominated Chinedu Nwamba, representing Nsukka East constituency to be sworn in immediately as Speaker of the House.

The motion was approved and Chinedu Nwamba was sworn in as factional Speaker of the G-9

Meanwhile, heavily armed security operatives, both those in uniform, and plain clothes have taken over the entrance and entire premises of the House of Assembly.