Alleged Certificate forgery: Local Government Council Vice Chairman impeached in Akwa Ibom
…Mixed reactions trail removal of Etukakpan
The Oruk Anam Legislative Council has impeached the Vice Chairman of Oruk Anam Local Government Council, Hon. Abasiama Etukakpan for ineligibility to hold office, false declaration of age and perjury.
The Notice of Impeachment was signed by 14 out of 16 Councillors of Oruk Anam Legislative Council. The notice dated 23rd March, 2021 is signed by the Leader Rt. Hon. Sunday Festus, Deputy Leader, Hon. Mary Aniedu Akpan, all house officers and other Councillors.
The impeachment saga has generated serious conversation by analysts and commentators in social media.
Some are accusing the State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel as the masterminded of the removal of the Vice Chairman for reasons only known to him while others exonerated the governor believing that the impeachment will not stand as some political stakeholders in the local government, the party in the state and the hilltop mansion were not carried along in the decision making by the councillors.
Others wonder if the embattled vice chairman did not pass through the party’s (PDP) screening process before the election.
Meanwhile, speculation in some quarters have it that the impeachment has nothing to do with certificate forgery or perjury but politically motivated because of an alleged affiliation of the Vice Chairman with a certain gubernatorial aspirants in the state who is not in Governor Emmanuel ‘s good books as those considered as possible successors in 2023.
Recations:
“The nonsense impeachment is not unconnected with 2023 succession plans. We know what’s going on in Akwa Ibom and we are watching with keen interest at the right time we will know the truth,” Source
“That purported impeachment is hasty, malafide, invalid and unlawful…” Imo akpan
“Orukanam selected suicide councillors una don fail for this one, you people are not Competent Court of Law. The Vice-Chairman should be impeached alongside the Chairman cause there both have a joint ticket. That purported impeachment is hasty, malafide, invalid and unlawful,” Source
“One of the reasons they prefer illiterates and drunks as Councilors in Akwa Ibom State!”
“I would only believe this drama by Oruk Anam Legislative Council against the “Executive”Vice Chairman on the grounds that….
“The People’s Democratic Party who screened the Chairman and the purportedly impeached Vice chairman of Oruk Anam LGA before the party primaries, confirming their joined ticket did that under duress or either the process was influenced or the party was insensitive in giving the process due fairness.
“The Laws enacted by the federal government of Nigeria is subject to the Provisions of section 35 and 43 of the Akwa Ibom state Local Government Administration Law, one need to understand the supremacy of LG laws over the later- A case of the NOT TOO YOUNG TO RUN as was assented to law on May, 2018 by President Muhammad Buhari which again counters the claims by the legislative council on the age of the vice chairman.
“The impeachment was not done out of hatred, jealousy and ignorance of the law. In a civilised society the said Provisions in section 35/ 43 of the Akwa Ibom State Local Government Administration law would have been reviewed and amended as it can’t contradict the Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on a particular issue.
“The Chairman should also drop his mantle for the purpose of Justice and fairness, until this is done, the legislative council of Oruk Anam becomes the most unserious chambers ever in history for throwing stone where there is a glass house,” Pius Etim
