UMUNNEOCHI LEGISLATIVE CRISIS: Infighting Rocks Council Over N15 Million Road Grading Funds, Leader Impeached Amid Resignations

The Umunneochi Local Government Legislative Council has been thrown into turmoil following a heated dispute over the probe of N15 million earmarked for road grading in December 2024. The crisis took a dramatic turn when the council's leader, Hon. Obiageri Chukwu, was impeached and suspended indefinitely by her colleagues.

All Facts Newspaper gathered that the controversy began when members of the legislative council embarked on their oversight function, demanding a breakdown of how the executive chairman (Mayor) of Umunneochi LGA, Chief Sunny Afurobi, utilized the N15 million disbursed for road maintenance. Their probe, however, did not sit well with some forces within the council, leading to a clandestine plot to remove Hon. Chukwu as the leader of the legislative arm.

In a swift move on Thursday, February 14, 2025, Hon. Chukwu was impeached and suspended indefinitely by her fellow legislators. In her place, Hon. Nwankwo Kingsley Jude Nnamdi was elected as the new Council Leader, while other principal officers were also appointed. According to an official statement issued by the new leadership, the council now consists of:

Hon. Nwankwo Kingsley Jude Nnamdi - Leader of the Legislative Council

Hon. Joel Obumneme Uche - Deputy Leader

Hon. Mba David C. - Majority Leader

Hon. Nwafor Charity - Deputy Majority Leader

Hon. Ofoegbu Chukwubiko - Chief Whip

Although the press release confirming Hon. Chukwu's impeachment did not explicitly state the reason for her removal, political observers believe her insistence on transparency regarding the N15 million project may have fueled her ousting.

While the impeachment plot was unfolding, an unexpected twist emerged when the resignation letters of three key legislators involved in the power play surfaced. Hon. Charity Nwafor (Eziama Ugwu Ward), Hon. Kingsley Nnamdi Nwankwo (Eziama Agbo Ward), and Hon. Obumneme Joel (Lokpaukwu Ward) tendered their resignations from the legislative council, with their letters dated February 11 and 12, 2025.

Hon. Chukwu, in her capacity as Leader of the Legislative Council, formally acknowledged their resignations and wished them well in their future endeavors. Her acceptance letter urged them to remain law-abiding citizens of Nigeria.

In addition to the resignation of the council legislators, a letter allegedly showing the Chairman's resignation also surfaced online. However, he later refuted it in a press release, stating that security agencies are investigating the matter.

The unfolding drama in Umunneochi LGA has raised concerns about transparency, accountability, and governance within the council. Residents are now demanding clarity on the N15 million and urging the state government to intervene to restore order.

With the Abia State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs now copied in the official correspondence, the coming days are expected to reveal whether this crisis will lead to further legal or political actions.