Intrigues as Enugu Assembly begins impeachment process against Gov. Chime

Sullivan ChimeAnother day, another political drama between the Executive and Legislative arms of government as members of the Enugu State House of Assembly Monday commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Sullivan Chime.

The lawmakers accused the governor of high handedness and corrupt enrichment.

A 15-member faction of the Assembly led by the Speaker, Eugene Odo, who sat in the early hours of Monday in the legislative chambers amidst tight security, specifically accused Mr. Chime of manipulating the 2014 Appropriation Bill, among other impeachable offences.

They directed the Clerk, Mr Christopher Chukwurah, to communicate their resolution to the governor.

In reaction to the impeachment moves, the state government dismissed the plot as illegal since the Speaker, Mr. Odo has been impeached.

The governor’s media aide, Chukwudi Achife, said a new Speaker, Mr. Chinedu Nwamba representing Enugu East state constituency, has been elected to replace Odo.

Meanwhile, the eight-man faction of the assembly, led by “new speaker” Nwamba, has suspended the “impeached” speaker and seven others.

Those suspended include Chief John Anichukwu (PP-Nkanu East); the Chief Whip, Mrs Theresa Egbo (PDP-Enugu South Rural); the Leader, Mr Sunday Ude-Okoye (PDP-Awgu North); and Mr Okey Nwoke (PDP-Igboetiti West).

Others are Mr Paul Ogbe (PDP-Enugu Soth Urban), Mrs Chika Ene (PDP-Udi South) and Nze Micheal Onyeze.