The Chairman of Egor Local Government Area, Eghe Ogbemudia, has denied her purported impeachment and that of her vice, Franco Osawe, by the councillors.
A statement she personally issued on Friday night alleged that there were external forces pushing a minority number of the council to remove her so that they can get access to the treasury of the council.
She also claimed that she had not breached any law governing local administration and that she has never received any query from the councillors.
Ogbemudia added that the so-called impeachment of herself and her vice were not known to law and there illegal.
According to the statement, “I am a democrat and a strong advocate of the rule of law.
“In view of my background, I have never obstructed, and I will never interfere with the constitutional roles of the councillors.
“The purported impeachment was carried out by minority of councillors, and not founded on any known laws or provisions of the Constitution of Nigeria.
“I am using this medium to appeal to the good people of Egor Local Government Area to maintain law and order and totally disregard the unlawful action of this minority councillors.
“The unruly and unconstitutional method of the so-called impeachment clearly points to the sponsorship of disgruntled elements interested in crisis in Egor Local Government Area.
“Their ultimate aim is unholy access to the funds of the local government to serve their personal interest.
“Since my assumption of office as the Chairman of Egor Local Government Area, I have never acted in breach of the provisions of the laws of the Local Government Area, the state and the Constitution of Nigeria.
“There is no query before me from the councillors or any authorised body that requires my response.”
Eghe said she has no interest in usurping the powers of the councillors or act contrary to the provisions of the Constitution of Nigeria.
She called on the councillors to also know that they cannot act contrary to the Constitution, and that the action of the councillors who purportedly carried out the act were in the minority.
She said the Edo State High Court had set aside the unlawful suspension of Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of Local Governments in Edo State on the strength of the Constitution in addition to the judgement of the Supreme Court affirming their independence.
She said: “The purported impeachment of the Chairman and Vice Chairman of Egor Local Government Area by a handful of councillors is a distraction, illegal and it is of no effect.
“It is my advice for the councillors to concern themselves with their responsibility in line with the laws and Constitution of Nigeria, and should refused to be used by those that are clearly against democracy and development in Egor Local Government Area.”
