Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State yesterday alleged that N3 billion was budgeted by politicians to impeach him.

He said some politicians, who were desperate to govern the state were trying to dent his image by accusing him of corruption when they had ‘sung Hosanna for him’.

The governor made the revelation at the Government House, Abakaliki, while addressing officials of the National Association of Ebonyi State Students, who paid him a solidarity visit. His words:

“As poor as we are, some people who want to take over Ebonyi State, budgeted N3 billion to ensure that I am crushed so that they will have their way. They throw that money recklessly and God is in control. So, let them bring more money and spread to hooligans in order to unseat me; they will not succeed.

“They are denting my image knowing that the process of impeachment cannot succeed constitutionally. In their avowed determination to remove Martin Elechi from seat, they realised that if he is there, the dream of some people to become the governor of Ebonyi State will be truncated.

“So, they must remove him at all cost and that is why they decided on impeachment before even having reasonable excuses to justify that decision. We are watching them. I am yet to be served. So, Ebonyi people have risen to the challenge of the moment and said ‘no’. We are watching them.

“It is ridiculous that lawmakers are lawbreakers. Otherwise, lawmakers should know that matters in court of justice should be allowed to take their cause before reacting one way or the other.

“It is so ridiculous that when a House of Assembly approves a borrowing through overwhelming resolution of the members and that borrowing is coming in stages, they said ‘oh, you have violated the laws; you did not get our approval’, forgetting that they had approved it themselves.’

Meanwhile, seven members of the Integrity Group of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly have withdrawn from any further involvement in the impeachment move against Governor Elechi.

The decision of the seven lawmakers to withdraw from the impeachment move was made known on yesterday by the chairman of the Integrity Group, Honourable Enyi Enyi, representing Ezza North-West state constituency while briefing reporters.

The lawmakers were part of 15 lawmakers that signed the impeachment move. They made a U-turn on their decision, setting a twist to the Ebonyi State Governor’s impeachment saga.

Hon. Enyi explained that the decision to withdraw from the impeachment ply was taken after several consultations within and outside the state.

The chairman further said that the decision was necessary so as to enable peace reign in the State.

“It should be on record that the earlier plans to impeach the governor is part of the functions of the House of Assembly and no politicians in or outside the State influenced their decision to impeach the Governor,” Mr Enyi also stressed.

He advised his other colleagues to sheath their swords and embrace peace in the interest of the state.

•Pieced together from stories in Daily Sun and Channels TV. Photo shows Governor Elechi.

Update news