Rose Ejembi, Makurdi
Some members of the Benue State House of Assembly led by the impeached Speaker, Terkmbi Ikyange, said they had commenced impeachment process against Governor Samuel Ortom of the state over alleged embezzlement of local funds to the tune of N33 billion, non performance and other sundry issues.
Ikyange, in a chat with newsmen, on Monday, disclosed further that 12 members of the Assembly reconvened at the Assembly Chambers to suspended 15 members from the Uba-led faction.
Recall that 22 members of the House, last week, at an emergency seating, impeached Ikyange along with other principal officers of the Assembly and elected member representing Kyaan Constituency, Titus Uba as new Speaker.
Daily Sun gathered that on getting wind of a planned move to impeach the governor, some youths were said to have besieged the Assembly as early as 5am apparently to prevent the move.
The development led to armed security operatives with armored tank storming the area to cordon off the Assembly.
At the time of filing this report, the Uba-led faction has reconvened and were holding plenary at the old banquet hall of Government House in Makurdi.
Details later…
The drama of impeachment of Governor Orthom of Benue state by some disgruntled members of APC in their state house of Assembly over embezzlement of N33 billion spoke volume over the insincerity of APC government towards fighting corruption. It is on record that the governor was a staunch member of APC party in government until about a week ago when he decamped to PDP due to the failings of the party in credible governance including their inability to carry out their primary responsibility of protecting lives and properties. The incredulous public have been now made to understand that a governor can thief in government house and be well shielded by his party members who are privy to his hidden crimes. How do you explain that these members of APC are now coming out to tell the public that the governor embezzled some funds with their prior knowledge and yet could not speak out at the time he was a member of the APC party as the governor? Could this be a devious move to tarnish the image of the governor because of his defection? This revelation if found to be true does not actually portray the complainants of the APC members that seem by implication to harbour criminals unknown to the public while fighting corruption.