Seven members of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, known as the
Integrity Group, have withdrawn their involvement in the impeachment
moves against Governor Martin Elechi.
The members were among the 15 legislators that signed the impeachment notice against the governor.
The minority leader of the House, Mr Enyi C. Enyi of the All
Progressives Congress (APC), announced the withdrawal when he briefed
newsmen in Enugu, on Tuesday.
“Our decision to withdraw from the impeachment plot was informed by
far-reaching consultations within and outside our constituencies.
“We were also touched by the deep political counselling from our leaders and elders.
“Most importantly, we were alarmed at the discovery that the
impeachment, if consummated, would spew deep political bad blood and
dichotomy between the two political blocs, Abakaliki and Afikpo.
“Moreover, if the impeachment is pursued to its logical end, each
member of the fourth plenary of the state assembly would wear the stigma
and badge of dishonour as the first set of lawmakers to impeach a
governor in the South-East zone,” he said.
Enyi expressed regrets that the assembly, which used to be an epitome
of a peaceful and focused legislature, had descended on a dangerous
lane.
“The attempt to impeach the governor, barely two months to the end of his tenure, stood out as evidence of this loss of bearing.
“Some of us in the assembly, especially the integrity group, have
been reflecting on what kind of legacy we intend to leave behind as our
contributions to the growth of the state and democracy,” he said.
The lawmaker confirmed that there were many acts of impunity in the
implementation of laws and administration of funds in the state during
the present dispensation.
He stressed the need for genuine reconciliation among the political class in the state.
Enyi, however, urged the governor to gather all aggrieved parties
irrespective of party affiliation, religion or zone for dialogue and
reconciliation.
“This is a time for him to renew the state on the path of peace and genuine reconciliation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ebonyi State governor, Martin Elechi, on Tuesday, declared
that his political opponents have so far spent a whopping N3 billion to
prosecute the impeachment plot against him, so as to remove him as
governor of the state.
Elechi made the declaration in Abakaliki the state capital, while
receiving the executive/members of the National Association of Ebonyi
State Students (NAESS) worldwide, who paid him a solidarity visit at the
government house.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor Elechi said, ”if people can commit
such a huge sum of money to impeach me, let them bring more money to
share to hoodlums, they will not succeed,” he reiterated.
The governor disclosed that the main reason for the impeachment plot
against him, was to tarnish his integrity knowing full well that the
impeachment could not succeed.
No comments:
Post a Comment