13 Delta Councillors Allege Threat To Life Over Leader’s Impeachment

Thirteen councillors of the Ughelli North Local Government Legislative Council, Delta State have raised the alarm over alleged threats to their lives.

This may not be unconnected to the impeachment of the former leader of the House in the council.

The councillors said since the impeachment exercise, 12 of them had been unable to return to their homes, alleging that hoodlums and cultists had been trailing their families and monitoring their residences in an attempt to force a reversal of the  decision.

They appealed to the state governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to intervene on the matter as the leader of the party to resolve the matter amicably.

They also called on security agencies to intervene urgently to guarantee their safety as they continue to carry out their constitutional duties.

According to the new leader of the House, Hon. Agbini Solomon Oghenero, the situation is undemocratic as it poses threat to the legislature.

“My emergence was not aimed at fighting the administration of the Executive Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government as whatever that transpired in the Legislative chamber is purely legislative business”.

According to him, “My leadership is strictly for legislative business and collective decision-making to move Ughelli North forward. I have no intention whatsoever to fight the chairman or his administration as my duty is to work with my colleagues legislatively and ensure that Ughelli North is better for everyone,” he stated.

On the threat, Arhiakpore, councillor representing Agbarha Ward 2, alleged that since January 14 that the lawful impeachment was carried out, councillors have lived in fear.

“We have not been sleeping in our homes, the clothes I am wearing now have been with me since that day as we received reports that hoodlums were moving around our homes.

“Our lives are at risk. Hon. Arhiakpore, further alleged that immediately after the impeachment, the former leader allegedly unscrewed his walking stick, brought out a dagger and stabbed Hon Onome Isherhe and was chasing me and in that process, my phone, power bank, bag, and other items that fell were seized by him.

“It took the intervention of the people for the items to be released before they were sent to me. The threat from unknown persons has continued even after the plenary, with claims that thugs were mobilized to intimidate councillors.”

Hon. Festus Oke Inana, councillor representing Orogun Ward 5, said, “The impeachment was purely a legislative matter, carried out in line with constitutional provisions.

“Although a meeting of elders and leaders of Ughelli north was convened as the outcome that the insistence that status quo should be maintained is not workable within legislative practice.

“We have a clear two-thirds majority that removed the former leader, and the same two-thirds majority produced a new leader. This is constitutional, and we stand by Rt. Hon. Igbini Solomon Oghenero,” he said.