ABAKALIKI, Ebonyi state (Daily Independent) –The embattled Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State has ordered the stoppage of salaries of members of the state House of Assembly.
Also affected are the staffers of the House whose plight was worsened by the strike workers of the state embarked upon over no- payment of minimum wage.
A reliable House of Assembly source revealed that the lawmakers had been approached to stop the impeachment process, but had insisted on pursuing it to its logical conclusion.
One of the legislators who preferred to be anonymous explained that they were determined to perform their legitimate duties no matter the amount of mischief and conspiracy.
“We are not deterred by the attitude of the Governor who has denied us our legitimate salaries for quite some time. The Governor is now exhibiting a divide and rule tactics to sideline the lawmakers.
Martin Elechi, Governor of Ebonyi state
“At this point the governor has been sending people to plead with the lawmakers not to impeach him but as it stands, there is no going back,” the source said.
The zonal Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ali Odefa, in an interview, called on Elechi to answer the allegation charges against him and stop playing to the gallery.
He said the silence of the governor on the matter suggests that he had committed the crimes levelled against him.
He added that the press conference by the House member representing Ezza North West state constituency, Enyi C. Enyi, in Enugu on Tuesday was part of measures by the state government to deceive the public that the impeachment plot against the Governor had been aborted.
“Hon. Enyi C. Enyi just needed money; we know him very well. Let him name the seven lawmakers with him if he is not deceiving himself and the general public.
“This is part of Governor Elechi’s gimmicks to evade the hammer of the House. The House is on course and soon the truth will come to limelight,” he said.
