Impeachment moves: Benue deputy governor, Abounu under pressure to resign

7 years ago

Impeachment moves: Benue deputy governor, Abounu under pressure to resign

The deputy governor of Benue State, Engr. Benson Abounu is currently under pressure to resign his position, DAILY POST can report on good authorities.
His decision was following recent moves by the state’s lawmakers to sack him over what they tagged as gross “betrayal and distrust”.

According to a reliable insider, over 15 lawmakers of the state assembly have already penned their signatures for the impeachment of the deputy governor.

It was gathered that the impeachment plot was prompted by the recent detention of the Speaker, Terkimbi Ikyange, and other principal officers of the House based on a petition allegedly filled by a son of the deputy governor.

Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had recently arrested and detained 14 members of the Benue State House of Assembly, including the Speaker, Hon. Terkimbi Ikyange.

Their arrest was in connection with their refusal to honour an invitation extended to them over the alleged fraudulent N750m vehicle contract handled by the Deputy Speaker, Hon James Okefe.

Others were Deputy Speaker, Hon. James Ejembi Okefe, Rt. Hon. Joseph Ojobo (Ogbadibo, PDP), Rt. Hon. Adoga Onah (Oju, PDP), Minority leader Sule Audu (Agatu, PDP), Hon. Anthony Ogbu (Ado, PDP), Hon. Chris Adaji (Ohimini, PDP), Hon. Mrs Ngunan Adingi (Buruku, PDP), Rt. Hon. Chabo (Gboko, PDP), Majority leader Rt. Hon. Benjamin Adanyi (Makurdi, APC), Hon. Ire Mathew (Oju, APC), Rt. Hon. Nick Eworo, (Obi, APC), Hon. Baba Otache (Apa, PDP) and Rt. Hon. Avine Agbom (Makurdi-North, PDP).

Insiders hinted that the enraged lawmakers felt that Abounu must have given his authorisation before his son went ahead with the petition against them.

The lawmakers, who convened for an emergency meeting at the Benue Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, shortly after they were granted bail from detention, expressed their grievances and decided to begin impeachment moves before returning to Benue State.

A source hinted our reporter that when it became evident to Abounu that the lawmakers were not ready to forgive him, he concluded plan to back out to avoid disgrace.

“As we speak, over 17 lawmakers have given their nods for Abounu’s removal and I can tell you that there’s no going back. They felt betrayed because of the petition written by his son, which made the EFCC to go after them. Several efforts to meet with some principal assembly officers to explain himselfhave failed and the only option left for him is to resign. He has concluded plans resign before they remove him.”

Efforts to reach the media aide of the governor could not yield any fruit at the time of this report.