Ebonyi: Onicha Legislative Leader debunks Impeachment rumour

By Uchenna Okeh Abakaliki 

The Leader of the Onicha Legislative Council and Councillor representing Agbabor Ward in the Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Anayo Kingsley Simon has debunked reports circulating on social media alleging that he has been impeached from his position.

Anayo who spoke to newsmen at the weekend said that he was neither aware of any impeachment notice nor had any formal process been initiated against him as required under Nigeria’s democratic system.

According to him: “I am not aware of any impeachment proceeding on or before now,” he stated.

 “I only read on social media & heard on the news of the above mentioned radio station about such a purported impeachment against my person and office. 

“This is a democratic setting, and there are procedures for such acts if they must hold water.”

He explained that no impeachment notice had been served on him, neither had any investigative panel been constituted nor any formal sitting held to consider an impeachment motion.

“As the leader of the council, I am the one to convene a sitting. If there were genuine grounds for impeachment, a colleague would raise a motion, it would be deliberated upon, and if the majority agrees, then it can stand. But nothing of such has ever happened,” he said.

Responding to questions on whether he may have fallen out with influential political actors, Rt.Hon. Anayo maintained that he has no issues with the state leadership or the local government chairman.

“I don’t have any issue with the powers that be. I have confidence in the government of Ebonyi State, ably led by His Excellency, the Right Honourable Builder Prince Ogbonna Francis Nwifuru. I believe strongly in his People’s Charter of Needs mantra,” he affirmed.

He added that he has been fully supportive of the administration of the Onicha Local Government Chairman, Hon. Ikechukwu Ogbuoffia.

“For all I know, I don’t have any problem with my chairman. If there is any purported move to impeach me, I would say it is likely an act of betrayal from my colleagues which i know can not stand under the current state leadership that so much believes in the rule of laws, and as such does not and will never condone any act of illegality,”he said.

According to Anayo, the only recent disagreement within the council was a collective call he and other councillors made to stakeholders of the local government, urging that more development projects be executed across all wards.

“The last time my colleagues and I raised concerns, it was simply to draw attention to the need for more projects in the interest of the party and the people which was borne out of the zeal to ensure that the people’charter of needs mantra of our dear humanitarian governor is extended to all nooks and crannies of the state.

“And that’s for the interest of our party, and our constituents, which i believe is our primary constitutional responsibility as ward councillors. When you love a leader, you align with his vision,” he stated.

Anayo reiterated his unalloyed loyalty to the state government and the ruling party’s agenda, stressing that any actions he takes are for the overall good of his constituents, his local government and the state at large.

He enjoined all well meaning Ebonyians and residents to avoid acts capable of causing chaos and destabilising the relative peace being enjoyed in the state today, courtesy of the governor, who he described as, “an angel in human form”, 

Anayo also called on the media to always verify the authenticity of their news to avoid misleading the public and tarnishing people’s reputation unjustly. 

He also seized the opportunity to appreciate the good people of Onicha Local Government for their unwavering supports to his leadership and reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that Onicha local government remains the beautiful bride among all Ebonyi local government areas.

As at press time, no official statement has been issued by the Onicha Legislative Council or the local government authorities regarding the circulating impeachment claims.