Isoko North Majority Leader And His Deputy Sacked For Collecting N2.5M Bribe

The senior lawyer of R. A. Igelige Chamber, Barr Rockson Igelige has offered to handle the case of alleged "illegal and unconstitutional" removal of the Deputy and Majority leaders of the Isoko North legislative arm.

The Westminster trained lawyer and human right activist alleged that the Party leadership lack the powers to interfere/remove/debate/contribute in the activities of the House, Rockson Igelige who was once a leader (Speaker) in Isoko South legislative arm promised to defend the constitution through every legal means as soon as he returns from the United States of America later this month.

"Their removal remain unknown to the local government law. Logic cannot take the place of law. What did the law says? I will do the case pro bono for them if they are ready to subject the law to judicial furnace".

It would be recalled that both the Deputy and Majority leaders were early this week relieved of their duties, following a letter brought before the House by the leadership of the party in the council area, demanding the removal of the duo. The letter said to have been signed by the party’s Chairman, Mr. Daniel Tutumor, and Secretary, Mr. Peter Ashaka, also accused them of lack of respect for the party’s constitution.

But sacked Majority leader, in his reaction, insisted that they were not removed, saying: “When the Clerk of the House read the letter, there was an argument as to whether to move a motion to adopt it or not, and there was disorderliness. Nobody discussed the letter and then we adjourned indefinitely.”

Meanwhile, the Local Government Council Chairman Hon Emmanuel Egbabor has also debunked allegations that the Majority and Deputy Majority leaders were being victimised for a motion they moved two weeks ago against him to render account of income and expenditure since the inception of the administration, and another motion against a backdated bill on Internally Generated Revenue.

The Council Boss described the allegation as totally false, reprehensible and misleading. He started that, contrary to the mischievous claims of the sacked Majority leader, his administration has been rendering account regularly and had even presented the income and expenditure account to the State House of Assembly and wondered why his administration will be afraid of rendering account to the legislators. Hon Egbabor said those accusing his administration for party decision were merely acting the script of mischief and propaganda maintaining that no amount of blackmail will distract or deter his administration in moving the Council area forward with high flying performance especially at a time Government was seeking funds and investors. He however called on the public not to give in the cheap blackmail and antics of those who peddle falsehood to score cheap political points.

"It is strictly a party affair, the relationship between the Executive and legislative arm is cordial, we have succeeded in presenting our income and expenditure account in the State House of Assembly, our good works speak for us"

Also, the PDP Chairman in Isoko North Local Government Area Hon. Daniel Tutumor has assured party faithful to remain calm and that the leadership of the party is capable of resolving the issue in the shortest possible time, the party Chairman claimed that both the former Majority leader and his Deputy remain party members, that they were not expelled or suspended but the party leadership find it necessary to replace them with fresh hands as Majority and Deputy Majority leaders.

"the best way of upholding party supremacy is to ensure that members elected into public office on the party platform are subordinated to the party’s will in line with the party constitution"

It was gathered from different and reliable sources that the sacking of the Majority leader and his Deputy by the PDP leadership is not unconnected in the role played by them in collecting five hundred thousand naira ( 500,000) each as bribe before allowing the 5 political appointee sent to the house by the Executive Chairman to undergo screening as Supervisory-Councillors.