… 2018 Sacked Councilors Join Chair
… Insist On Resuming Duty Nov 30
The war over which group that is legitimately supposed to occupy the 27 Government Councils in Imo has again re-echoed.
This is as the suspended councilors elected under the regime of former Governor Rochas Okorocha have joined their LGA chairmen moves to resume work on November 30, 2020.
Suspended 2018 ALGON chairmen had a week ago vowed to resume office on November 30.
This is even as they called on the governor of Imo State Senator Hope Uzodinma to obey the court judgment which ordered them to resume office but were not allowed to do so following stay of execution order which the Imo State Government received from the court of Appeal.
The 645 elected councilors in the 27 LGAs of the state under the auspices of Legislative Council Leaders Forum are set to resume their constitutionally backed legislative duties at the council headquarters around the state on the 30th of November.
This was indicated in a release made available to our medium, and signed by the leader of all leaders; Rt. Hon. Abed Ochaso Njemanze; the secretary, Rt. Hon. Anthony Diala and the zonal coordinators.
The release recalled with dismay their unconstitutional ejection from office by Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha led the government, despite been duly elected by their constituents on 25th August 2018.
It further stated that such brazen disregard for the rule of law and democratic principles by the then governor drew the attention of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) and on the instruction of President Muhammadu Buhari, wrote the governor to ensure their immediate re-statement, as the action contravened the 1999 Constitution.
Accordingly, the Inspector General of police it noted, instructed Imo Police Commissioner to ensure their smooth resumption.
The forum also noted the order of the Federal High Court Owerri on the 1st of July, 2020 for their immediate reinstatement, citing the Supreme Court ruling in Appeal No 5c/120/2013 between Ekiti State Government and Prince Sanmi Olubunmi which overruled the power of governors to dissolve elected LGAs officials.
While pledging their total support to Governor Hope Uzodinma’s government, the forum solicited the support of Imolites the Media and civil society Organizations towards their resumption and restoration of democratic governance at the councils.
