The Chairman of Oshimili North Local Government Area, Hon. Innocent Esewezie, has cautioned councillors in the council against actions capable of plunging the local government into crisis, stressing that lawlessness and violation of due process would not be tolerated.
Esewezie gave the warning in Akwukwu-Igbo while receiving the newly elected leadership of the legislative arm of the council on Monday.
He condemned the use of force and other illegal methods in the recent removal of the former Leader of the House, describing the incident as an act that portrayed the councillors as lawless and cast the council in a bad light.
The chairman urged the lawmakers to always operate within the confines of the law and regulations guiding local government administration, noting that peace and due diligence were essential for effective governance.
He said the priority of both the executive and legislative arms should be the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people of Oshimili North, rather than engaging in activities that could breed chaos.
“Our task is to bring development and improve the welfare of our people. Rascality and violation of regulations will not be tolerated,” Esewezie said, as he pledged to work with the new leadership of the legislature to ensure peace and all-round development in the area.
Earlier, while presenting the new Leader of the Legislative Arm, Mr. Henry Olowo, the Clerk of the House, Mr. Benedict Agboje, tendered an apology to the chairman, leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other stakeholders for what he described as unprofessional conduct during the sitting of December 11, when the former Leader, Mr. Chris Nwamgbor, was forcefully removed.
Agboje assured that such an incident would not recur, adding that laid-down rules would henceforth guide all legislative activities in the council. He explained that the former leader was removed due to inconsistency and failure to adhere to the rules of the house.
He also announced other principal officers elected alongside Olowo as Mrs. Augustina Odogwu, Deputy Leader; Mr. Patrick Nwankwor, Majority Leader; Mr. Paul Okai, Deputy Majority Leader; Mr. Okocha Onyeisi, Chief Whip; and Mr. Cyril Ufo, Minority Leader.
In his acceptance speech, Olowo reaffirmed the commitment of the council’s legislature to the rule of law, democratic governance and the protection of legislative independence.
He assured constituents that the councillors would focus on quality representation and development-oriented legislation to promote good governance in Oshimili North.
