15 Delta Councillors Reject Reinstatement Of Ousted Leaders

]The political and financial crisis rocking Bomadi Local Government Council, Delta State, has deteriorated, with no end in sight to an amicable settlement.

Fifteen councillors out of 20 earlier sacked the leaders of the Bomadi Legislative Arm and wrote a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged financial recklessness by the council chairman, Hon. Dagidi Andaye.

The councillors were said to have rejected a proposal by the speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, calling for the reinstatement of the ousted leaders and the withdrawal of their petition before the EFCC.

A highly placed source disclosed that the 15 councillors were infuriated by what they described as threats of arrest and imprisonment allegedly issued by the facilitators of the meeting.

A meeting that ended in deadlock, held in Asaba, was attended by the speaker, the commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Hon. Kelly Penawou; the economic adviser to the state government, Dr Barry Pere Gbe; ALGON Chairman and Okpe Council Boss, Hon. Isaiah Esiovwa; Andaye; and both factions of councillors.

According to the source, the facilitators allegedly threatened the councillors with severe consequences should they fail to reinstate the impeached leader and principal officers of the Bomadi Legislative Arm, insisting they must comply with what was described as a directive of the state government.

The councillors were reportedly pressured to withdraw their petition already submitted to the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, which alleges financial impropriety against Andaye over an alleged fraudulent and unapproved N800 million loan obtained from a commercial bank.

Sources further revealed that the councillors were particularly shocked that throughout the meeting, no attempt was made to address or explain the alleged N800 million unapproved loan, an issue they insist remains the major bone of contention and the root of the political disagreement between the council chairman and the 15 councillors.

A party leader in the state, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the development as “sad and disturbing,” lamenting that a petition signed by 15 councillors alleging serious financial infractions appeared to be deliberately swept under the carpet.

He criticised government officials for allegedly seeking a backdoor settlement rather than allowing due legislative and investigative processes to run their full course, stressing that the Speaker ought to serve as a legislative gatekeeper of democratic norms, transparency, and accountability.

More troubling, he added, is the alleged resort to threats and intimidation, including claims that facilitators boasted they could direct the Commissioner of Police to arrest the councillors and have them remanded at the Warri Correctional Centre.

“What interest is being protected by remaining silent on the illegal N800 million loan allegedly collected by Hon. Dagidi Andaye while elected councillors are being threatened to abandon lawful legislative decisions and oversight responsibilities?” he queried.