Kogi Assembly Suspends Local Government Chairman Pending Misconduct Probe
In a decisive move, the Kogi State House of Assembly has suspended the Chairman of Ibaji Local Government Area, Emmanuel Onuche, following allegations of gross misconduct. The suspension, announced during Wednesday’s plenary session, aims to facilitate an unimpeded investigation into actions the legislature claims could damage the state’s reputation.
Handover Ordered as Committee Begins Investigation
The House has directed Hon. Onuche to immediately hand over the council’s affairs to the Vice Chairman, Victoria Okolo. This interim arrangement will remain in place until a special investigative committee concludes its work. The Assembly resolved that a thorough probe would not be feasible with the chairman remaining in office.
Speaker Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf constituted a five-member investigative panel, appointing Hon. Bode Ogunmola of Ogori-Magogo Constituency as its chairman. The committee includes members Hon. Ishaya Omotayo Adeleye (Ijumu), Hon. Asema Baba Haruna (Adavi), Anthony Ujah (Olamaboro), and Hon. Bin-Ebaiya Shehu Tijani (Lokoja 1), with Muhammed Bello serving as committee clerk.
The panel has been given a one-month deadline to submit its findings and recommendations.
Political Shift as Opposition Lawmakers Defect to APC
In a separate political development, three members of the Kogi State House of Assembly have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The defecting lawmakers include Hon. Bode Ogunmola (previously PDP – Ogori/Magongo), Hon. Idowu Ibikunle (previously ADC – Yagba East), and Hon. Sunday Daku (previously PDP – Bassa).
This political realignment now gives the APC control over all 25 seats in the state assembly, consolidating the party’s legislative dominance in Kogi State. The timing of these defections, coinciding with the suspension of the local government chairman, underscores the dynamic political landscape in the state.
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