At least 13 councillors of the Ughelli North Local Government Legislative Arm have raised serious concerns over alleged threats to their lives following the impeachment of the former Leader of the House in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
The councillors described the situation as undemocratic, warning that it poses a threat to the functioning of the legislature.
Speaking at a press briefing, they revealed that since the impeachment exercise, 12 of them have been unable to return to their homes, claiming that hoodlums and cultists have been monitoring their residences and trailing their families in an attempt to force a reversal of the legislative decision.
The new Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Agbini Solomon Oghenero, clarified his position, stating, “My emergence was not aimed at fighting the administration of the Executive Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government as whatever that transpired in the Legislative chamber is purely legislative business. My leadership is strictly for legislative business and collective decision-making to move Ughelli North forward. I have no intention whatsoever to fight the chairman or his administration as my duty is to work with my colleagues legislatively and ensure that Ughelli North is better for everyone.”
Addressing the alleged threats, Hon. Collins Arhiakpore, councillor representing Agbarha Ward 2, said councillors have been living in fear since January 14, when the lawful impeachment was carried out.
“We have not been sleeping in our homes, the clothes I am wearing now have been with me since that day as we received reports that hoodlums were moving around our homes. Our lives are at risk,” he said.
Hon. Arhiakpore further accused the former leader of violence immediately after the impeachment, alleging that he “unscrewed his walking stick, brought out a dagger and stabbed Hon. Onome Isherhe and was chasing me. In that process, my phone, power bank, bag, and other items that fell were seized by him. It took the intervention of the people for the items to be released before they were sent to me.
The threat from unknown persons has continued even after the plenary, with claims that thugs were mobilised to intimidate councillors.”
Hon. Festus Oke Inana, representing Orogun Ward 5, emphasized that the impeachment was “purely a legislative matter, carried out in line with constitutional provisions. Although a meeting of elders and leaders of Ughelli North was convened as the outcome, the insistence that the status quo should be maintained is not workable within legislative practice. We have a clear two-thirds majority that removed the former leader, and the same two-thirds majority produced a new leader. This is constitutional, and we stand by Rt. Hon. Igbini Solomon Oghenero.”
He also defended the reasons for the impeachment, noting that allegations of misappropriation of funds, abuse of office, ineffective leadership, and excessive alcohol consumption were the genuine grounds for the decision.
Hon. Onome Isherhe, councillor representing Ughelli North Ward 12, denied claims that hoodlums invaded the Legislative chamber during the January 14 plenary. He clarified that the proceedings were conducted in the presence of legislative officers, the Clerk of the House, the Sergeant-at-Arms, recorders, and spectators.
He also refuted allegations that the symbol of authority of the House (the mace) was removed unlawfully, stating, “The symbol of authority is in the custody of whom it ought to be with.” On matters of quorum, he stressed that “five councillors cannot lawfully sit to deliberate or pass a budget, contrary to rumours making the rounds, as it is unconstitutional.” He added that only the duly recognised leadership can convene legislative business.
Other councillors, including Hon. Glory Obodo (Ughelli North Ward 11) and Hon. Okeoghene Doris Isodje (Agbarho Ward 20), expressed support for the new leadership.
They stated, “If you are a leader, lead well and by example. Legislative business is not negotiable. As councillors, we have no intention of fighting the executive chairman, but we remain committed to working with him for the development of Ughelli North.”
The councillors appealed to the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to intervene and resolve the matter amicably as the leader of the party. They also called on the public to remain calm, insisting that no chaos exists within the council and that all issues will be settled through lawful legislative processes.
They further urged security agencies to step in urgently to ensure their safety as they continue performing their constitutional duties.
