29/09/2022
AKHA LG C'TTEE: INI COUNCILLORS DENY PRONOUNCEMENT OF EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN'S IMPEACHMENT
The eleven Councillors of Ini Local Government Legislative Council have denied the impeachment story of the Executive Chairman, Rt. Hon. Israel Idaisin which filtered into the media space few weeks ago.
They made the clarification today while appearing before the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, chaired by Rt. Hon Mark Esset as hearing commenced on the crisis within the LG Council.
The Committee while taking comments from the Councillors noted that the impeachment saga on the Executive Chairman of Ini LGA was a misinformation as Councillors denied the news emanating from them.
According to Councillor representing Ikpe Ward 2, Hon Odudu Offiong said "We only moved a vote of 'No Confidence' on the Executive Chairman while the impeachment was against the Leader of the House, Hon Ukpe Uma Ukpe."
Going further from the House Committee's findings, the impeachment move did not follow constituted procedure and before the House Committee it remains invalid. This was strengthened by the embattled Chairman and Councillors who acknowledged that there was no impeachment letter served to the Chairman before such consideration by the Councillors.
The petition entitled, 'NOTICE OF ALLEGATION OF GROSS MISCONDUCT, MISAPPROPRIATION OF FUNDS, NON-PRESENTATION OF MONTHLY INCOME AND EXPENDITURES OF THE COUNCIL, CONDUCTS LIKELY TO BREACH THE PEACE IN INI LGA AGAINST RT. HON ISRAEL IDAISIN THE COUNCIL CHAIRMAN,' was signed by seven (7) out of eleven (11) Councillors that constitute Ini Legislative Council.
Furthermore, going into the wordings of the petition as submitted to the House by the seven (7) aggrieved Councillors, it is alleged that the Executive Chairman, Hon Israel Idaisin does not tender statement of income and expenditure since inception of office.
Amongst other allegations, the Chairman was accused of is non-payment of imprest since inception on December 10, 2019 till July 2022 with excuses of zero allocations. But it is on record that eight (8) Councillors have been paid the sum of N2million each which the embattled Chairman promised to balance up and pay in full the remaining Councillors who are yet to receive theirs. Also, non payment of legislative runnings which was not paid till March 2021 was amongst the allegations which the Councillors pressed for the arrears to be cleared.
Considering the myriad of complaints of the Councillors, the House Committee considered the plea of the Executive Chairman who said he was not in the right frame of mind to respond to the allegations leveled against him. The Committee excused the Chairman to send in his written response before next hearing.
The House Committee ordered that its Clerk, Cmd Uduak Okon to invite the following officers of Ini LG Council to appear in the next hearing. They are; former Cashier, the current Cashier, Director of Finance, Clerk and the Sergeant at Arms, all of Ini LG Council.
The Committee of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs urged the Executive Chairman, Councillors and other officers of LG Council to go back and maintain peace pending the House decision on the matter.
"This Committee will not play favouritism but will be very objective while considering this matter and at the end anyone culpable will be brought to book and the law will be allowed to take its full course,"
Rt. Hon Mark Esset concludes.
Other Members of the Committee who were present during the session included; Rt. Hon. Effiong Bassey of Oron/Udunguko, Rt. Hon. David Lawrence of Eket, Rt. Hon. Uduak Odudoh of Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo, Hon. Godwin Ekpo of Ibiono Ibom, Hon. Charity Ido of Ukanafun, Hon. Victor Ekwere of Mkpat Enin and Hon. Otobong Bob of Nsit Ubium.
Meanwhile, next session for the hearing is slated for Wednesday, October 5, 2022 by 10:00 hours.
Media Unit,
House Committee on LG and Chieftaincy Affairs,
Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.
29092022.
