Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Martins Elechi, and the State House of Assembly, on Tuesday clashed over the dissolution of the caretaker chairmen of the 13 local government areas by the lawmakers.
The lawmakers had, through a resolution, equally disbanded the 28 newly appointed coordinators of the development centres in the state.
The House, which sat with 18 out of 24 members at a very short notice, also demanded that Elechi should submit details of the monetary accruals to the state, including internally generated revenue, allocations from the federation account, and receipts from donor agencies, by Friday.
The lawmakers equally directed that boards and parastatals of the state government should remain dissolved, including the reconstituted boards of the State Local Government Service Commission, the Universal Basic Education Board and the Secondary Education Board, among others.
Ruling on a motion, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chukwuma Nwazunku, noted that the constitution of the caretaker
committees, and the appointment of coordinators, were unconstitutional.
Nwanzuku explained that the lawmakers were not against the governor making appointments.
“But what we are contending is that the appointments did not pass though the constitutional House screening,” he said, adding that the governor after the dissolution, could still re-appoint them and present them for screening.
The Speaker added that the House would invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as well as the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, to look into the state’s accounts.
He added the state commissioner of police has been directed to ensure that all government property at the disposal of the deposed persons, be recovered and protected.
However, Elechi, through his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Onyekachi Eni, urged the caretaker chairmen and the coordinators to go about their normal business.
The governor said the House’s resolution was merely advisory, which the executive may take or reject.
Elechi also stated that all the issues the House passed resolution on were subjects of litigation.
He said, “First is to say that we have enormous respect for the members of Ebonyi State House of Assembly being an important arm of
government. And on account of that respect, we are surprised by the action they have taken by way of a resolution seeking to dissolve the local government caretaker committee chairmen, boards etc.
“Resolutions are not laws; a resolution is a persuasive communication which emanates from the House of Assembly to the
executive seeking that certain things be done.
“And being persuasive, resolutions are advisory in nature; and as we all know, advice can be taken or rejected.
“So in this case, their advice to the governor or to the executive arm is noted.
“Having said that, we also note that the issues that they are raising are within the executive arm of government.
“The duty of the House of Assembly is to make laws for the good governance of the state, and not to now get into the executive line of duty which is what the House is seeking to do in this case.”
Source: www.punchng.com
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