REACTIONS TRAIL SUSPENSION OF 27 LG CHAIRMEN IN IMO STATE
Reactions have trailed the suspension of twenty seven elected local government council chairmen by the Imo State House of Assembly over their alleged failure to honour the invitation of the House.
While the lawmakers said their action was in line with the oversight function of the House, the affected council chairmen insisted that the lawmakers acted outside their powers.
Meanwhile Radio Nigeria observes that twenty four hours after the pronouncement of the House there appears to be a state of confusion at the council headquarters as none of the chairmen has complied with the handover directive.
The resolution of the Imo State House of Assembly to suspend the elected local government council chairmen indefinitely has continued to generate controversy among residents of the area.
Speaking to journalists, the representative of Nkwerre Constituency and sponsor of the motion that led to the suspension of the chairmen, Mr. Chika Madumere, said the House had constitutional powers to suspend any erring local government chairman by mere resolution.
He noted that the house received petitions from councilors and constituents against some local government area chairmen, which bothered on financial recklessness and executive rascality.
Mr. Madumere said the chairmen remained suspended until the committee looking into their matter concluded its investigations, noting that financial institutions had been directed not to honour any cheque signed by the suspended council chairmen.
However, the chairman of Nkwerre Local Government Area and Chairman Association of Local Government Area council of Nigeria, Imo State chapter, Mr. Augustine Mbagwu, dismissed the suspension order noting that house lacked powers to suspend elected chairmen.
Mr. Mbagwu denied receiving any invitation to appear before the house and insisted that they would continue to discharge their duties.
An Owerri based legal practitioner, Mr. Mike Onyekachi, faulted the action of the legislators, noting that only a Governor had the powers to suspend an elected council chairman following recommendation from the house.
Mr. Onyekachi advised the council chairmen not to take laws in to their own hands but to seek redress in court.
CHINAZO ILECHUKWU