Ebonyi State House of Assembly yesterday adopted a motion to impeach Governor Martin Elechi over alleged mismanagement of funds, unconstitutional appointment of caretaker chairmen of council areas and illegal floating of companies.

In their eight-point allegations against the governor, the lawmakers accused him of appointing 28 coordinators of development centres and caretaker chairmen of 13 local government areas and without prior screening and confirmation of the appointees by the Assembly.

In the motion moved by Obasi Odefa representing Onicha East Constituency and seconded by Valentine Okike representing Onicha West constituency, the House also accused Governor Elechi of obtaining a loan in 2013 from a commercial bank and incorporating a company with shares in the name of his son using the State Government funds.

The House also accused the governor of over inflating contracts awarded to a governorship candidate in the state, among other allegations of monetary transactions without due process.

The Speaker, Hon. Chukwuma Nwazunku, who put the motion to voice vote before it was unanimously adopted, promised that the resolution would be served on the governor through the media and courier service.

Meanwhile, the embattled governor has accused the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, of masterminding his impeachment by the House of Assembly.

Elechi at a press briefing at Government House, Abakaliki, alleged that the SGF had made a frantic effort to get the enlarged caucus meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to pass a resolution for his impeachment.

According to him, “It is also common knowledge that the President and National Leader of the ruling PDP stoutly opposed such a measure and preferred the path of reconciliation. What is important is that the people of Nigeria in general and powers that be, in particular, should be properly informed as to whose role is working adversely on the President’s electoral fortune.”

The governor also stated that Ebonyi State was pro-Goodluck Jonathan because he is naturally a good person and has proved beyond doubt that he can wedge the destiny of Nigeria to its highest destination. He added that the process of Jonathan’s emergence was both transparent and in full compliance with the electoral guidelines, constitutional and party’s requirements.

Elechi said that in the present face-off in the state, Nigerians should decipher the issues and the nation know who was working against the PDP and President Jonathan. “Martin Elechi or Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, the Mighty Igor?” he asked rhetorically.

•Adapted from a Saturday Sun report. Photo shows Governor Elechi.

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