GOVERNOR of Imo Emeka Ihedioha has approved suspension of all political appointees in the 27 local government areas (LGA) and councillors in the state.
Ihedioha’s Chief Press Secretary Chibuike Onyeukwu on Tuesday in a statement said, “The suspension is contained in the instrument signed by the Governor, pursuant to the recommendation made to him by the Imo State House of Assembly .
“This is following a resolution supported by a two-thirds’ majority of the State Assembly rendered on 6th June 2019, seeking their removal from office. The action is also in accordance with the provisions of S.7(1) of the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission Law and all other extant laws of the State.”
The governor, therefore, enacted an Interim Management Committees for six months, to manage the affairs of each local government
“Consequently, the Directors of Administration and General Services(DAGS) of each Local Government have been directed to take over management, pending the confirmation of Interim Management Committees by the State Assembly, ” the statement reads.
Those approved for suspension included the Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, Councilors and political appointees of the local governments of Imo State.
In a similar development, the Governor approved the dissolution and removal of the chairman and members of the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC).
“The Commission will be reconstituted in due course to put in place the machinery for conducting a credible election into the local governments.”
The Governor further directed that these officers handover to the most senior civil servant in the Commission.”
Earlier in May, a motion for the immediate suspension of chairmen in the state was moved by Chika Madumere and was unanimously supported by all the lawmakers at the plenary.
Madumere accused the chairmen of failing to appear before the House for an explanation on their financial transaction in their various LGAs.
In June also, the Assembly suspended indefinitely the chairmen as well as the boards’ appointments made by the immediate past governor.
Furthermore, Ihedioha had reversed the decision of the former Governor Okorocha which converted the state polytechnic into the University Agriculture and Technology, Umuagwo.
Okorocha had elevated the polytechnic to a university status and appointed a Vice Chancellor at the twilight of his administration.