TheCable

Martin Elechi, governor of Ebonyi state, has alleged that those behind the impeachment proceedings against him have earmarked N3 billion to achieve their aim.

Elechi said instead of utilising the money to develop the state, the “concerned individuals” channeled it towards his removal in order to allow one man to rule the state at all costs.

He was speaking when the leadership of National Association of Ebonyi State Students (NAESS) paid him a courtesy visit at the government house in Abakaliki on Tuesday.

“I was at the forefront of the struggle to actualise the creation of the state for 28 years,” he said.

“I can authoritatively say that N1 billion would have gone a long way in developing the state not to talk of N3 billion.

“These are the same people who want to rule the state; even if they continue to throw money around to hooligans, God is in control and will not allow them to succeed.

“Their resolve to remove me from office is borne out of their fear that if I remain in office, I will truncate the dreams of one of them becoming the governor.”

Maintaining that he was yet to be served the impeachment notice, Elechi said it was worrisome that the state lawmakers who are expected to protect the law have become “the law breakers”.

Responding Fredrick Nwebor, leader of the delegation, commended the governor for the manner he has handled the crisis.

He advised politicians in the state not to take advantage of Elechi’s peaceful disposition to create disturbance.

“Political actors in the state should not take advantage of the governor’s peaceful stance on the crisis to further escalate the situation,” he said.

“No individual’s interest supercedes the collective interest of the people.”

Meanwhile, seven members of the assembly have withdrawn their involvement in the impeachment move.

The members were among the 15 legislators that signed the impeachment notice against the governor.

Enyi Enyi, the minority leader of the house, announced the withdrawal while speaking with journalists in Enugu on Tuesday.

“Our decision to withdraw from the impeachment plot was informed by far reaching consultations within and outside our constituencies,” he said.

“We were also touched by the deep political counselling from our leaders and elders.

“Most importantly, we were alarmed at the discovery that the impeachment, if consummated would spew deep political bad blood and dichotomy between the two political blocs, Abakaliki and Afikpo.

“Moreover, if the impeachment is pursued to its logical end, each member of the fourth plenary of the state assembly would wear the stigma and badge of dishonor as the first set of lawmakers to impeach a governor in the South-East zone.”