How Can I Be Removed With The Mace Still Under My Care – Delta Council Leader Reacts

The leader of the Aniocha North Legislative Arm in Aniocha North Local Government, Delta State, Hon. Ekene Francis Nwaonye has dismissed claims that he has been removed from office, saying it is illegal, void and of no effect to take such a sensitive decision without the mace.

He urged the public to discontinuance the alleged ‘impeachment’, saying “You cannot sit and come up with any reasonable and legal document without the mace and without the leader or deputy leader presiding over such sitting”.

He described what happened in Aniocha North on Friday, 9th May 2019 as crass display of rascality by a few disgruntled colleagues whom he noted have constituted themselves as clogs in the wheel of progress of the Local Government Area.

According to him, as the leader of the Legislative Arm, the Delta State Commissioner of Police in conjunction with other security agencies, after the initial controversy in the local government sent a team of security officials to Aniocha North last year and handed over the symbol of Authority of the Aniocha North Legislative Arm under his custody and safety.

He said that as at today, the mace is still under his care and wondered how they took such a sensitive decision without the mace, which he noted is the symbol of Authority of the house.

Nwaonye therefore affirmed that the leadership of the  Legislative Arm of Aniocha North Local Government council remains unchanged until the constitutional requirements to so do are met.

He said that those who has penchant for illegality were plotting his removal but would continue to fail because according to him, the Delta State Local Government Law 2013 (as amended) stipulates that the leader shall be deemed to be removed upon the concordance of two-third  majority of all the members of the Legislative Arm.

He said the Legislative Arm which he heads was duly constituted by Law; maintaining that it is clear and well stipulated on how a leader can be removed.

Nwaonye said that whereby the movers and sponsors of the alleged impeachment could only gather eight Councillors, the Law requires at lest 10 of the 14 elected Councillors.

“I am not in any way afraid of impeachment, for the fact that every one of us is entitled to the position, but one thing remains that we are sticklers to the Law and due process. Whatever that is being done, must be done in line with due process and the Law.

“They are plotting for the impeachment of the leader, but they should follow due process and nobody will question them,” he stated.